Ding, ding, all aboard and off we go on the PlayBus!

The Buffy PlayBus supported by Essex Freemasons receives from the Masonic Charitable Foundation a donation of £9,240

Essex Freemasons, through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, have supported Buffy PlayBus with £9,240 towards their running costs and service deliverance.

This donation will be used for the Bus to continue to travel around the Uttlesford area offering playtime to youngsters and support for parents. Well over 100 children use this service every week, in areas from Great Chesterfield to Takeley, and everything in between. On average 10 families visit the bus on each trip, and there are usually three stops each weekday. Each stop allows around 90 to 120 minutes safe and secure playtime.

The PlayBus was started over 30 years ago by Jan Menell, a Midwife and Community Nurse, with the purchase and refurbishment of the first double-decker bus; the one shown in the picture is the third one to be used. The cost to run the bus is significant and the whole program needs over £100,000 a year to deliver the much needed and welcomed services.

All the funding comes from donations and cooperation with other local organisations including the Uttlesford Food Bank.

Kerry Matthole, Project Manager said, “This donation from the Freemasons will enable the bus to run for the next couple years amongst other things. It will ensure young children can enjoy that playtime vital for early development and allow their parents to have a safe space and to be part of the community.”  

Chris Hicks, Essex Provincial Grand Charity Steward (ProvGChStwd) added, “This is a perfect example of the Community engagement projects that Essex Freemasons have been involved in and will continue to be involved with. It is an important part of being a Freemason to give back to the community in general, and long may that continue.

To read more about this ‘Big Bus for Little People’ click this link: http://www.buffybus.com

Pictures

Top: The inviting and brightly adorned Buffy PlayBus with L to R: Chris Hicks (ProvGChStwd), Kerry Matthole (Buffy PlayBus), Richard Peet (Essex Charity Team), Kitty Palmer (Buffy PlayBus), Mike Barrett (Essex Charity Team) 

Bottom: Playtime in the Bus!