ORGANISERS of the Bedale community minibus have launched a fundraising drive to ensure that the service can continue after eight years as a rural lifeline.

Community minibus schemes in Hambleton which received grant aid from the district council suffered a financial setback after the authority was forced to implement a government directive introducing concessionary bus fares for the elderly last January.

Hambleton said that, because there would be a cost of £154,000 to the authority, direct funding of minibus operations would be cut, but organisers could claim up to £2,500 through the concessionary fares scheme before being asked to submit supporting details of passengers carried.

The Bedale Volunteer minibus organisers said this week that, because of cuts in council funding, they were starting the financial year with a shortfall of £3,500 and were seeking donations, initially to cover running costs of the present vehicle.

At the same time they face the prospect of having to buy a replacement minibus; the existing one has covered about 60,000 miles in four years and has thrown up various operational problems for both drivers and passengers.

It was bought "off the shelf," but a visit has been made to a factory in Stockport to look at options for customising a new vehicle with better equipment for local requirements.

The Bedale Volunteer, which previously received a £6,000 operational grant from Hambleton, runs services for the elderly and people with physical disabilities and mental health problems who might otherwise face social isolation.

Minibus co-ordinator Mr Malcolm Grainge said: "We are non-profit-making and run on a very fine line. With the shortfall we face, we have formed a small fundraising committee to try to redress the balance.

"We are writing to local businesses and organisations trying to cover running costs. The bus is now costing us a bit in repairs."

Mr David Hall, chairman of the fundraising committee, said: "We have got a bit of money put away but not quite sufficient to enable us to buy a new bus immediately, and we badly need one.

"We have sent out about 20 letters so far seeking help towards running costs and fuel for the present bus and have received £200 from two local businesses, as well as promises of help from two others.

"Fundraising will probably have to go on indefinitely, but there are at least six people who have volunteered to organise things for us early next year, including garden parties and a treasure hunt.

"We would like to raise as much money as we can and have some in hand because all kinds of things crop up over the years with running costs."

A spokesman for Hambleton council said grants towards new minibuses had been retained in the five-year capital programme and the Bedale scheme would be eligible to apply for help.