Charity needs your votes
HAZEL Grove charity Independent Options is in the running to win a £20,000 grant to buy a new minibus – and is asking for readers’ help.
The charity, which provides care and support for people with learning disabilities, has been shortlisted to receive the cash from the Aviva Community Fund, but needs votes from the public to be in with a chance of winning.
The charities that get the most votes will go through to a final round – anyone can vote up to 10 times, and voting closes on May 30.
The grant would enable Independent Options to purchase a fully accessible minibus for its short breaks service; it has two guesthouses in Stockport where people can enjoy a short respite break away from home.
Staff are on site 24 hours a day and there are activities on offer including day trips and evenings out in local pubs and restaurants.
Fundraising manager Lucy Sawdon said: “We have a total of 110 guests who access our short breaks service and every single one of them would benefit from the increased freedom the minibus would provide and enable them to get the most out of their time with us at Hallfield and Beech Avenue.
“The cost of purchasing a fully accessible minibus has unfortunately meant that we’ve had to put that vision on hold, so we are thrilled to now have the opportunity to secure the minibus.
“However we are in desperate need of people to vote for us to get us through to the next round, and as it’s free and very simple to do we’d ask everyone to please vote for us!”
To vote visit community-fund.aviva. co.uk/voting/Project/ View/942.