British Gypsum supports vital local bus service

Plaster and plasterboard manufacturer British Gypsum has made its second donation to a volunteer-run bus service  in the Lake District that helps local communities stay connected.

The Fellrunner Village Bus service supports vulnerable people who have limited transport options. Offering routes between Penrith and Carlisle, it’s a lifeline for those in remote and often isolated areas, and gives local residents access to shops and essential amenities.

After donating £5,000 to the Fellrunner bus service in 2021 and seeing the positive effect on the local community, the team at British Gypsum’s Kirkby Thore site decided to contribute a further £2,000 this year.

While last year’s donation helped keep the service afloat in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest funds will continue to support its vital work.

Chairman of the Fellrunner bus service, Kevin McGilloway, said: “For many of our customers, the bus is their transport lifeline, allowing them to get into town to shop, collect prescriptions, get money and keep appointments. Without the bus they would be stuck and reliant on family and friends – if they have them. Our service helps local residents maintain their independence and deals with issues like rural isolation and rural poverty.

“Every year we have a funding gap of around £5,000 between what it costs to run the service and the income that comes in from fares and bus pass use. Without financial help from a group of supporters like British Gypsum, we would not be able to continue our services. This recent donation will go towards keeping our services running for another year.”