We need a bus! (From Barry And District News)

We need a bus!

A BARRY playgroup is facing desperate times unless it gets urgent help from the community.

BIPS (Barry Inland PlayScheme) is looking for locals to support it as it battles to find a minibus for the children.

Play leader Heidi Ruck told the News: "We moved from Barry Island to Maes-y-cwm Street nearly six years ago and since then we've been borrowing other people's minibuses to get our members from school to the centre.

"But now it looks as though we will no longer have this facility to rely on and we desperately need a bus of our own."

BIPS borrows the minibuses belonging to the Woodlands Day Care Centre and the hostel next door.

But the Woodlands centre is due to close any day now and the hostel may move from Gladstone Road.

Heidi added: "The day care centre leases their bus and this lease runs out in August.

"They don't know how long they'll be there, so they aren't sure whether they're going to renew their contract."

The play centre is open most of the year. It provides a safe and caring environment for 40 children aged between four-and-a-half and 11 after school, on inset days and school holidays.

All staff are qualified and the scheme offers activities from arts and crafts to catering for specific hobbies.

But all that is under threat if it cannot get the children from school.

Heidi said: "That's the important thing about BIPS.

"Working parents can relax, knowing their children will be brought from school to a safe place by people they can trust.

"Even though I'm qualified to drive a minibus, we don't actually have one to drive.

"If there is anyone who can assist, we'd appreciate it. We're a registered charity, with no way of being able to afford to buy a bus ourselves.

"The parents are doing their best, but without years of fund raising we won't get far - please help."

Can you help the BIPS team get their minibus, call Jessica at the News on (01446) 733456.