4 December 1998

Belt Up says Charities Board

The National Lottery Charities Board has launched new funding opportunities for voluntary groups that are struggling to meet new safety regulations for minibuses. MOT testing now includes checks for seat-belts and strength of seats in minibuses and the cost of adaptation is estimated at about £500 to £1,000 per minibus. This is a significant one-off cost for small groups as well as larger groups that run several minibuses.

Tom Jones, Chair of the Charities Board in Wales explained, "We welcome the potentially life-saving consequences of more stringent minibus regulations but this will be a burden on some groups as they worry about paying for the adaptation. The Charities Board has therefore introduced this one-off scheme to ensure that all voluntary and charitable groups will adapt their minibuses according to the regulations, without it being a drain on their resources."

The scheme was described as "imaginative and much needed" by Transport Minister, Glenda Jackson who said, "I congratulate the Charities Board on putting together this worthwhile programme and hope all eligible groups apply for this money."

Roy Norris, Charities Board Director in Wales explained, "Applications can be made by any voluntary or charitable group regardless of size or income. Groups currently applying for, or receiving, Charities Board funding for other projects are also welcome to apply. Furthermore, applications are not restricted to one per group and therefore groups with two or three minibuses can ensure that all minibuses are adapted."

Groups seeking application forms or further information should call 0345 273273.