Following a successful fundraising campaign in the latter half of 2017, Ross-shire charity, Gairloch Aid & Mobility Support (GAMS), has purchased a brand new fully disabled accessible minibus for use within the local community.

Over £40,000 was raised to fund the purchase along with training for drivers and passenger assistants, with major contributions being made by the Great Wilderness Challenge, The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, Anne Duchess of Westminster’s Charity and Gairloch and Conon Estate along with many more donations, large and small from the local community and beyond.

The new vehicle has 17 seats but also the capability to replace 6 of these to provide space for 2 wheelchairs. GAMS sees the new vehicle as an essential part of its function to help those in the community with mobility issues to maintain independent living for as long as possible and to help to expand the range of services and outings which it currently provides.

Local physiotherapist, Birgit Joost, one of the founders of GAMS, said: “Being confined at home is one of the major difficulties faced by those with mobility issues so the ability to get out and about with properly designed transport is a huge advantage.”

To celebrate the arrival of the new vehicle, GAMS  hosted a coffee morning at Gairloch Golf Club on Saturday 17th March where the new vehicle was on display and the keys were formally handed over to GAMS by Mrs Janet Bowen, Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty.