A CHARITY is encouraging people to who regularly shop in the Co-op to use their membership card to help them continue to run.

The Penarth-based charity East Vale Community Transport (EVCT) offers wheelchair-friendly minibus transport to anyone with a need in the eastern Vale.

Every time a Co-op shopper uses their member card a percentage of their spending goes to the Co-op Community Fund and, so far, EVCT has been delighted to receive more than £1,000 towards the cost of a new wheelchair-accessible minibus.

Last week, volunteer driver Keith Crabtree took Bertie, one of EVCT’s accessible minibuses, to the Windsor Road Co-op store so that trustees and users could meet the store manager, Gary Stent.

The Co-op area manager, Giles Jenkins, was also there to greet the EVCT group.

“People who take out a membership card are rewarding the community as well as themselves," said Mr Stent.

He added that he plans to accompany one of EVCT’s weekly journeys in the near future to gain a better understanding of how community transport works.

Sheila Revill, a former trustee and now organiser of EVCT trips for her residents’ association, said: “EVCT and its wonderful volunteer drivers are a godsend."

For more information about using or driving the minibuses is available on 02920 705 138 or enquiries@evct.org.uk