Princess of Wales helps collect passengers for West Sussex Minibus 50th anniversary

The Princess of Wales travelled to Pulborough, West Sussex, to mark the 50th anniversary of the West Sussex Minibus, a volunteer-run service that transports elderly people around the area. 1 2 She helped pick up 94-year-old Stella Drewett, a retired school cook and new user of the service, from her home and onto the bus. 1 2 Mrs Drewett said she uses the minibus for her weekly shopping trip and a Wednesday lunch at Pulborough village hall, and joked that the outings meant "one day of not cooking". 1 3

The Evening Standard and Mirror report that the princess touched Mrs Drewett's arm as she used a walking frame and stood behind her as a precaution while she boarded. 1 At the lunch club she sat with members and ate crisps; the Mail reports she joked that she and Prince William are a "good double act" at washing up. 3 2 The Mail adds that she spoke to volunteers, the Lord Lieutenant of Sussex and a small crowd outside, and that the visit had been kept secret in advance. 2

The service began in response to declining rural public transport and now has eight village hubs, 284 volunteers and 11 minibuses, covering about 60,000 miles and 13,000 passenger journeys a year. 3 2 The visit is meant to highlight how community transport brings people together and reduces isolation; the Mirror notes it followed an appearance with Prince William in Wakefield for Sir Kevin Sinfield's motor neurone disease fundraising. 2 3