A GROUP helping vulnerable people with travel around the area has landed on Portland.

Cycling Without Age has launched on Portland after the group's expansion from Weymouth.

The expansion comes after the purchase of a new £7,900 trishaw bike, dubbed the 'Jenny Wren' which will be used for island trips.

Des Lochrie, who established the local Weymouth and Portland branch, said: "Mayor Sandy West had the pleasure of the first official trip, alongside councillor Peter Roper who was accompanied by his wife as well as Elaine Smith and Jane Uff.

"The 'Jenny Wren' was introduced to Portland thanks to the 'Dorset Community Fund' and Elaine Smith who gave a very generous donation.

"Elaine is the chair and the Standard Bearer for the local south Dorset branch of the Association of Wrens and has had an 18-year career in the Royal Navy.

"In honour of that and the historic naval connection to the area Elaine felt the 'Jenny Wren' was a good fit."

Cycling without Age Weymouth has grown from strength to strength from the first trishaw that was donated By Weymouth Golf Club in 2019, while purchasing a second bike in May 2020 due to demand with National Lottery funding.

The group has a fleet of three trishaws and a specially adapted three-wheeled tandem - offering free-of-charge rides to the elderly and those with limited mobility on trips around Weymouth and now Portland.

Mr Lochrie said: "We're coming out of lockdown and there are many residents in isolation who would benefit greatly from one these rides and everyone in our community, whether its someone mother, father, brother, sister or neighbour.

"We're working with Bridport and hope to launch another trishaw later in the year."

The bikes come from Denmark and the charity offers rides from a total of 15 volunteer 'pilots'.

The charity was set up in October 2019 to combat loneliness among people who are housebound.

Going forward Mr Lochrie said the charity hopes to buy as many trishaw bikes as possible, to cover Bridport and plans for Dorchester.

The charity can be contacted on: 07555416399 or email: des@cyclingwithoutage.org.uk.

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