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Members of the Chester & District Federation of the Blind - CDFB are celebrating after receiving a new minibus from the Steve Morgan Foundation.

The Ellesmere Port-based organisation is a lifeline to people who are blind or partially sighted by combating social isolation.

During the pandemic, the charity has opened its doors to anyone needing help and has run a range of services including a telephone befriending service, shopping, collecting medications and accompanying people for their jabs/hospital visits etc.

The Chester and District Federation of the Blind has also been running a socially distanced afternoon support group where isolated people in the community can meet up. However, manager Sue Hearfield said the charity’s 11-year-old minibus had suffered a series of mishaps until the Steve Morgan Foundation stepped in with a replacement vehicle.

She explained: “The tail lift leaked hydraulic fluid and refused to budge when we were bringing a very vulnerable person into the centre. The locking system no longer worked and the roof leaked.

“The persistent red light on the dash couldn’t be dealt with and the mechanics were unable to find the fault so the bus no longer had an MOT. In short, this new minibus means we can continue to provide transport for vulnerable adults.” She said the Foundation’s support of the charity went way beyond the new vehicle.

“The Steve Morgan Foundation has supported us for many years in different ways,” explained Sue. “Our new minibus is fabulous and will brighten the lives of many people, we are thrilled to have it but it's more than that.

“12 months ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, we were in shock. The Steve Morgan Foundation provided security, hope and advice. The Foundation enabled us to carry on functioning at this crucial time. It’s the gift of an ongoing relationship that has meant so much to Chester and District Federation of the Blind.”

The Steve Morgan Foundation has provided eight new minibuses to good causes in recent months at a cost of £243,000.

It brings the total number of minibuses supplied by the Foundation to 86.