The Princess of Wales visited West Sussex Minibus, a volunteer-led transport organisation.
The West Sussex Minibus is a vital lifeline for people who cannot easily access public transport. This is often due to isolation, mobility challenges or financial barriers. They will celebrate 50 years of service this year, and it was originally established in response to the decline of rural public transport. It began life as a single volunteer-led minibus and grew into a community transport network which operates from eight village hubs. It is supported by 284 volunteers and has a fleet of 11 minibuses. Every year, they provide around 13,000 journeys.
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- Picture by David Cliff / Kensington Palace
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- Picture by David Cliff / Kensington Palace
The Princess of Wales travelled on the minibus to pick up 94-year-old Stella Drewett at the village of Pulborough. Stella was not fazed and joked, “When they said ‘It will be a celebrity,’ I said ‘I don’t know any celebrities.'” Catherine helped Stella board the bus, telling her, “Well done.”
Stella and Catherine travelled to the Pulborough village hall for Stella’s weekly shopping trip and lunch, which, according to Stella, meant “one day of not cooking.” At the weekly Pulborough and District Community Care Association lunch, Cathrine commented that it was “a lovely way to make friends.”
Picture by David Cliff / Kensington Palace
Alan Jenkins, trustee at West Sussex Minibus, told BBC Radio Sussex, “She’s done a fantastic job talking to our members. It’s really to promote what our volunteers do for the slightly older generation, which is fantastic. She’s done a great job, and we’re so pleased to have her here.”
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