Wrington Community Minibus has been awarded £12,000 from the airport’s Local Community Fund to help replace its ageing vehicle with a new, fully accessible minibus.
The charity provides vital transport services for residents in Wrington and surrounding areas, particularly older people and community groups.
Adrian Hopkins, chairman of the Wrington Community Minibus trustees, said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to Bristol Airport and the other local businesses and fundraisers whose generous support makes it possible for us to keep this service running.
“Every one of our drivers and administrators gives their time voluntarily, and your contribution honours and sustains their commitment.”
The organisation will celebrate 50 years of service in 2025.
In 2024, it ran 146 outings for 1,136 passengers, 94 per cent of whom were over 60 years old.
The group’s current minibus is 12 years old and does not meet Bristol’s Clean Air Zone requirements, limiting travel into or through the city.
The new Euro 6-compliant vehicle will enable the group to resume trips to popular destinations in Bristol.
The minibus scheme also supports Wrington’s Lunch Club, which provides weekly family-style meals for around 25 pensioners.
Tracy Comer, community relations manager at Bristol Airport, said: “We are absolutely delighted to support Wrington Community Minibus with this grant from our Local Community Fund.
“The group provides an essential lifeline for many local residents, ensuring that people of all ages can stay connected to their community and access vital services.
“Accessible and reliable transport makes a huge difference to quality of life, especially for those who might otherwise find it difficult to get around.”
Bristol Airport’s Local Community Fund supports projects that benefit nearby communities and help offset the environmental impact of airport operations.
The fund is part of planning commitments linked to the airport’s future development.