The Barbara Bus Fund - Free Transport for Wheelchair Users

Barbara Bus Fund Celebrates 40 years of accessible transport!

Barbara Werndly started the Fund in 1968, working hard to raise funds to buy one vehicle which would enable patients from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital to get out and about, without the need for painful and difficult transfers from their wheelchairs. Forty years later the Fund is still doing the same job, but in a much bigger way – with seven vehicles based at RNOH in Stanmore serving a wide local community and a further vehicle at Stoke Mandeville for the use of patients there.

This seemed to us a very good reason to celebrate and we did so in style with a wonderful Garden Party on Matron’s Lawn at RNOH on 14th. September. The weather was beautiful – sunny and warm – and about 120 people turned up to enjoy the celebration. Afternoon Tea was served in a marquee, with centrepiece cake and there was a popular raffle and tombola, as well as a display showing the history of the Fund.

The Chairman, Richard Holland, nephew of Barbara, welcomed the guests and outlined hopes that the Fund would continue to grow and to help increasing numbers of disabled people to get out and about in the future. Guests included members of Barbara’s family, people who had nursed her and become friends, volunteer drivers past and present, and of course many of our current passengers. Our youngest guest was a 3 month old baby and our oldest a lady in her 90s! Harrow Community Transport helped with extra transport, and thanks go to the many generous people who donated prizes for the raffle and tombola. All our guests were given a commemorative pen to mark the occasion.

If you would like any more information about
The Barbara Bus Fund, or would like to make
a donation to us, please contact us.

020 8416 0733
office@barbarbarabus.com
www.barbarabus.com
The Barbara Bus Fund
Louis Fleischmann Building,
RNOH,
Brockley Hill,
Stanmore
Middlesex HA7 4LP

Click the picture to see all the photos of the Anniversary Party

London Marathon 2009

Marathon 2009

Sadly one of our runners has had to pull out of the race – Steve Kendell has recently been ill in hospital and will not be fit enough to run.

However, David Wall is training hard and will be running for us on 26^th. April. If you would like to sponsor David please contact the office for a sponsorship form.

Volunteer Drivers Easter Draw

As a 'thank you' to our very willing and hardworking volunteer drivers, we put all their names in a hat (Easter Bonnet!) and drew out two lucky winners.

Jim Whillis took first prize and proudly bore a way a large chocolate egg, and Sylvia White won a nice big tin of chocolate biscuits. Sorry you could not all win, but your help and support is much appreciated.

Happy Easter

New At Stanmore

In February we took delivery of a second Ford Connect from Gowrings. Eventually this will replace ‘Frankie’, the oldest of the Citroen Dispatch vehicles. Our policy is generally to replace vehicles that are over six years old, and ‘Frankie’ has given us very good service.

Barbara Bus Gwynedd

The Fund is delighted to announce the launch of a new ‘satellite’ operation which will be based in Gwynedd, North Wales. Initially starting with just one vehicle, the operation will be run by David Thomas from his home in Criccieth. We hope that there will be a lot of interest from the local community and that the project will quickly become self financing, there may even be enough demand for another vehicle. For more information please click here.

Volunteer Drivers Meal

In February the Committee entertained a group of our volunteer drivers at what has now become a regular event – dinner at the Leefe Robinson. This gives the Fund a chance to thank the volunteers who give up so much time to drive the vehicles, and also enables the drivers to meet and exchange ideas. A pleasant and relaxing evening was enjoyed by all.