Help needed for community transport costs

Sanctuary Cookalongs, a community cooking group founded to provide an opportunity for refugees and other members of Preston’s diverse community, to cook and share meals together, have been cooking meals and delivering workshops for the past two years.

The group is made up of members from countries across the globe, including; Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, El Salvador, England, India, Iran, Jamaica, Lativa, Libya, Moldova, Morocco, Pakistan, Romania, Sudan, Syria and Turkey.

From sharing recipes, learning to cook healthily and on a budget, the group has since grown and you could say the appetite for the initiative, has too.

We are now looking to expand our activities to continue serving Preston with family friendly activities such as day trips.

We need your help!

We have provided training to some of our willing and able volunteers so that they can help transport our families around Preston.

The training, provided by MIDAS (Minibus Driver Awareness Scheme) includes:

• A day of classroom and minibus driver training (£200)

Once qualified, four volunteer drivers become part of a network of drivers for Preston Community Transport, who aid low-cost day trips for the elderly.

We would also like to develop a school minibus service which can reduce traffic on the roads, and give more opportunities for parents to work longer hours.

We’ve also been offered a fully-funded weekend trip to Quakers Rookhow in the Lake District, thanks to Preston Quakers who have funded £500 towards our accommodation. We’re still looking for £300 for:

• hire of the minibus (£150)

• petrol costs to Rookhow (£50)

• ingredients for meals (£100)

Funds raised will also go towards petrol for the round trip and any other expenses accrued on the day.

Sanctuary Cookalongs are very grateful for your support.