DORCHESTER Disabled Club has been given a funding boost to ensure it can continue running door-to-door shopping trips for people in villages around the county town.

Magna Housing Association has provided support and funding that will enable the club to continue running the service for people who are unable to walk to the bus or carry their shopping.

The monthly shopping trips run by Dorchester Disabled Club serve Broadmayne, Owermoigne, Maiden Newton, Puddletown and Tolpuddle and take passengers to Dorchester town centre, Tesco and Weymouth.

Secretary of the Dorchester Disabled Club, Irene Calcutt, said the service is highly valued and welcomes the support that will ensure it is able to carry on.

She said: “We are committed to helping our elderly villagers with a door-to-door service. Some are frail and need help with their shopping bags and could not cope with public transport. By providing this service, residents can go to the shops without struggling.”

Magna has donated £2,000 through its community initiative fund (CIF) to help the Dorchester Disabled Club continue to run the shopping service. Community investment officer Ken Bodycombe said: “This is a vital service for our elderly residents in rural locations who find getting about more difficult than others. We were very keen to support the application for funding.”

Irene added: “The donations from Magna will fund our bus service for the next two years.

“We are very grateful for the money and support we have received from Magna.”

Magna allocates a total of around £120,000 a year through the CIF to things that will improve the areas where the housing association’s residents live and £30,000 to charities and organisations which provide services that are of benefit to residents. Anyone who has an idea for a community project or is aware of an area that can improve is urged to find out if it qualifies for CIF funding.

For more information or to get an application form contact Mr Bodycombe on 01305 216095 or email ken.bodycombe@magna. org.uk