To mark the launch of a new charity partnership, volunteers at the Isle of Wight Bus Museum and Coach Museum have been sharing their skills with the manager of The Co-operative Food in Ryde.
Swapping convenience for conductors, Store Manager Mark visited the museum in Park Road, Ryde just after it reopened for the summer season to be shown the ropes of driving vintage buses.
Founded in 1997, the museum is a registered charity and run completely by volunteers.
Mark said:
“Each year our colleagues in store help us to choose a local cause to support over the next 12 months as part of our community engagement programme ‘Love Your Neighbourhood’.
“Last year we supported 1st Ryde & 1st Binstead Scout Group and we raised £231 which Southern Co-op rounded up to £500. This year we also wanted to support a local cause with our time so chose to partner with the Isle of Wight Bus and Coach Museum.
“So as well as raising funds for the museum, our store colleagues will be volunteering at the museum which we hope will help to make a difference to this wonderful local charity which is an important part of our history and brings families together.”
The Museum is open Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Bank Holidays from 10:00 until 16:00 until Sunday 3rd November 2019. Entry is free.
Brian Dicks, Museum Secretary, says:
“We are delighted to have the Southern Co-op store in West Street, Ryde as the Love Your Neighbourhood partner for 2019. Entry to our museum is always free, so that everyone in the community is able to access the Island road transport history and exhibits”.
To find out more about the museum visit www.iwbusmuseum.org.uk. To find out about Southern Co-op’s commitment to the local community, visit www.thesouthernco-operative.co.uk/makingadifference/.
