Forres Rotary and Cycling Without Age Scotland succesfully launches trishaw service
Better-than-forecast weather helped the successful launch of a free community transport service in Moray.
Forres Rotary and Cycling Without Age Scotland (CWAS) showcased their new £8900 electric trishaw ‘Spirit 'o Forres’ at the town’s Masonic Lodge and Grant Park last weekend.
Rotarian Jim McPherson welcomed fellow volunteers who helped get the project rolling.
He said: “Along with funds from Rotary Foundation Charity, the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and the Community Psychiatric Nurses Association - as well as fundraising activities - the club has had other generous donations-in-kind.
“Theses included from Moray Waste Busters, who donated two bicycles which can be used by volunteer co-pilots. Andrea Chappell of Acme Atelier provided us with a unique protective blanket featuring a bespoke ‘Biscuit Crumb’ tartan.
“We have also benefited from the use of the lodge for fundraising events and now the official launch, and we are extremely grateful to Elma Alexander for the use of a private garage to store the trishaw.”
The scheme has trained volunteer ‘pilots’ to accompany passengers with limited mobility of any age on cycles to accessible, scenic areas around the town.
Jim said: “Over the next few weeks and months, we hope to be seen out and about in the community but, as a new group, we don't yet have a large enough pool of volunteer pilots to satisfy the demand.
“We hope to attract more folk to help out. No significant cycling experience is needed: the trishaws are E-bikes so much easier to pedal than you might imagine.
“We provide full training completely free of charge. Also, there is no time commitment; help as often or as little as you can manage.”
Email forres.trishaw@gmail.com or phone Jim on 07909 406328 if you can help.
At the launch, Rotary and CWA welcomed Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation manager Sarah Rollo joined other representatives to hear CWAS CEO Christine Bell talk about the organisation’s aims and achievements.
Led by local piper, Scott Oliphant, the party moved from the lodge to Grant Park where a number of people enjoyed trying out the trishaw.
