A NEW minibus has arrived at a charity to boost the services it offers to the community.

The Salvation Army will use he bus in continuing to provide a range of activities in Warrington and replaces the old bus which had come to the end of its useful life.

It will transport people to the church on Academy Street and its day care centre which supports the elderly.

Captain Vaughan Bovan, leader of the Warrington Church and Community Centre said: “For many, visiting the day centre is the only activity they take part in each week and without us providing transport to get to and from the church and centre, many wouldn’t be able to get here. We have some spare spaces at the day centre and this new minibus will enable us to bring new members.

“We want to send our heart filled thanks to Warnerbus in Dunstable for building the minibus to meet our needs, and also to Asda Foundation Significant Grants Programme and its colleagues at the Cockhedge Shopping Centre in assisting us to apply for and secure a significant grant towards the cost of the minibus.

“The funds donated by the foundation have enabled us to use the money we would otherwise have spent on the minibus on other aspects of our Day Care Centre.”

Liz Cotterill, community champion for Asda Cockhedge, said, “We are thrilled to be able to support Warrington Salvation Army through this significant grant via the ASDA Foundation.

“We are so proud to have been successful in the significant grant application and with thousands using The Salvation Army’s community centre every month, we can all be happy in the knowledge that the minibus will serve the Warrington community for many years to come.”