About Us
About The Bromsgrove Minibus Appeal Fund
The Bromsgrove Minibus Appeal Fund is a local registered charity that provides accessible minibus transport for elderly and disabled residents of Bromsgrove, nearby villages and surrounding areas.
The charity is run by volunteer trustees and volunteer drivers, with the aim of helping local residents enjoy days out, social activities and community trips as part of a group.
Registered charity number: 516666
Community transport charity
Our aim
Our aim is to provide accessible minibus transport, supported by volunteer drivers, for elderly and disabled residents of Bromsgrove.
The service enables eligible groups to get out and about safely, whether they are visiting local venues, attending group activities or enjoying days out together.
The EDDIE Bus helps local groups stay mobile, independent and connected.
What the service provides
We provide transport for care homes and specialist groups in the Bromsgrove area. Typical outings include:
The vehicle is fitted with a passenger lift to support people with walking difficulties and wheelchair users.
- Lunches
- Garden centre visits
- Bowling and activities
- Shopping and retail
- Social activities
- Local community venues
- Group days out
On board
Comfortable seating for group journeys
The bus has seating for group travel, with flexible arrangements available when wheelchair spaces or mobility support are needed.
Our history
The charity was established in 1985 after Nora Byng, Margaret Fishley, David Hughes and Jack Grantham recognised that elderly residents in Bromsgrove would benefit from dedicated transport to help them get out and about.
The founders raised enough through donations and subscriptions to start the service with a second-hand bus, and a charity was set up to manage it. Originally known as Bromsgrove Minibus for the Elderly, the service has continued for decades, supported by volunteer drivers and trustees.
The charity has provided transport for residents of local care homes and specialist community groups, including lunch clubs and groups supporting people with sight loss.
In 2019, the existing minibus needed to be replaced. Eddie Mowbray was closely involved in the fundraising campaign for the replacement vehicle. Thanks to grants from the National Lottery, charitable groups, council grants, local businesses, service users and the charity’s own reserves, the £32,000 target was reached and a brand-new minibus was purchased.
The new minibus was officially launched in early 2020 and named The EDDIE Bus in recognition of Eddie’s contribution to the charity.
The EDDIE Bus
The current vehicle is a Peugeot Boxer 13-seat minibus, specially adapted with an electric side step and a tail lift capable of loading wheelchairs.
Some rear seats can be removed to accommodate up to three static wheelchairs. There is also storage at the back of the bus for collapsible wheelchairs and walking aids.
The name EDDIE stands for:
Everyday Drives for the Disabled, Independent and Elderly
The name also recognises the many years of service given to the charity by Eddie Mowbray, one of its early drivers.
Remembering Eddie Mowbray
Edwin Mowbray, known to everyone as Eddie, was a central figure in the Bromsgrove Minibus Appeal and gave many years of service to the charity.
After retiring from full-time work in 2007, Eddie joined the charity as a volunteer driver, taking residents from local care homes on days out, lunches, medical appointments and visits to places of interest.
He became a trustee in 2016. When ill health meant he could no longer drive the minibus, he continued to support the charity as booking clerk, helping groups arrange journeys and keeping in touch with passengers and carers.
Eddie passed away in May 2022, aged 80. He is remembered with gratitude and affection by the charity, and his name continues through The EDDIE Bus.
Insurance and operating standards
The EDDIE Bus has public liability insurance and vehicle insurance in place.
The service operates in compliance with Section 19 permit requirements, which apply to community transport services of this kind.
Donations
Donations are welcome and appreciated. If you would like to support the charity, please contact us to find out how.
The charity is not actively fundraising at present because trip charges are intended to cover the running costs of the service.
Interested in using the service?
If your group fits the eligibility criteria, please contact us to discuss your journey.
40 Years of Service
Since 1985, The EDDIE Bus has helped Bromsgrove residents get out and about safely as part of a group.