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Bus to end isolation for vulnerable Irish By Elaine
Sheridan
Patrons of The Luton Irish Forum are celebrating this week after taking
delivery of a brand new minibus which was donated by a leading Irish property
developer.
Thanks to the generosity of Ballymore Properties, the fully-accessible
vehicle will bring joy to many of the disabled and disadvantaged users
of the Luton-based charity.
Joe Ward from the Luton Irish Forum said: “To have permanent use
of a minibus will change the way we care for our most vulnerable members.
“A number of our members are housebound and living in isolation
due to age or disability and therefore are unable to access many of the
activities we provide.
“Now, due to Ballymore’s generosity in providing a fully-accessible
vehicle, many more of our disadvantaged members can independently enjoy
the freedom to visit places of interest.”
The Luton Irish Forum was set up in 1997 to cater for the welfare and
needs of the burgeoning Irish community in the Bedfordshire district.
It came to fruition as a result of government encouragement that communities
should become more proactive and more involved in the general life of
the community in which they lived.
Foundations were laid for the invaluable advice and cultural centre that
has thrived since its inception back in the late 1990s.
With over 500 members the new minibus is a welcome addition to the facilities
already provided by the centre to the many Irish that have come to rely
on their services.
Ballymore community Liaison manager Alex MacDonald said: “As with
various projects throughout the country, Ballymore is working hard with
Luton residents to make a real difference in their lives, particularly
the youngest and oldest members of the community who are often forgotten
by society.
“The minibus is our small contribution to the excellent services
the Luton Irish Forum provides to its community.”
Irish-owned Ballymore Properties was set up in 1982 by Sean Mulryan.
Since expanding into the British market in the early 1990s the company
has been a keen sponsor of other activities in the Luton area, including
the Irish Forum. |
