The Annie Bell Fund has presented its first award to KickStart Norfolk, which received a grant of £631 to fund the printing and distribution of leaflets in areas of Norfolk where take up of the KickStart service is currently low.

KickStart offers a low cost motor scooter hire scheme for people wanting to access employment, training and education opportunities but live in areas where the public transport provision is poor or non existent. KickStart provides all training and equipment to safely use the scooters and each scooter is safety checked and serviced every eight weeks by professional contractors. KickStart asks service users for a donation of approximately £10 per week and provided there is no major damage to the vehicle, on its return they are refunded 30% of the money they have paid into the scheme.

KickStart currently have a fleet of approximately 250 scooters. 80% of service users are young people, but people in their 70s have also used the service. Last year KickStart helped over 400 people into work or work training.

Annie’s husband Ken said, “We looked at several grant applications to Norfolk Community Foundation, and particularly liked this organisation as its service is available to people of all ages and it empowers them to improve their own lives. As there are now far fewer employment opportunities for people in rural areas, it
is crucial for people to have effective transport to be able to get to college or a job. I am confident that Annie would have thoroughly approved of us helping in this way.”

To contact KickStart please call John Wratten on 01362 699923 or email kickstartnorfolk@tiscali.co.uk