Our bus drivers and colleagues have chosen Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland and Age UK Derby and Derbyshire as their charity of the year.

Our team will be organising fundraising events large and small in aid of Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland and Age UK Derby & Derbyshire.

Services, including skylink Derby serve communities in both Leicestershire and Derbyshire. The money raised over the next 24 months will be put to good use by both local charities across their local communities.

Two team members – Alys Bosneac and Merlin Rigard – our charity champions, will lead the fundraising. Alys is an administrator and Merlin a driver.

Merlin said: “It has been a particularly difficult few years for the older generation, with the rising cost of living and the sense of isolation older people might have felt especially during Covid and its aftermath.

“I would like to look at ways of celebrating the older generation and aim to look at how they can be included more in community events or events that would be more inclusive for them.”

Brand partners of Age UK, both Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland and Age UK Derby & Derbyshire are local, independent charities and say they have seen an increase in crisis calls from older people struggling with the cost of living. Both stress the importance of bus services to older people to feel connected to their communities.

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland plans to help by offering benefits checks, through their Warm and Wise service and by supplying food parcels. In Derby & Derbyshire the charity’s Information and Advice service is helping thousands of people in need.

Age UK Derby & Derbyshire chief executive Katy Pugh said: “Buses are a lifeline for older people. They don’t just get them from A to B, they offer social contact and the chance to get out of their home and be independent.

“So Kinchbus are already supporting older people, and their fundraising will contribute to our Information and Advice Service. This year especially it is overwhelmed with demand so extra funding will help us help more people.”

Age UK Leicester Shire & Rutland executive director Tony Donovan said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as Kinchbus charity of the year and look forward to supporting their fundraising efforts.

“This partnership comes at a crucial time for our organisation as we prepare for the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.”