When Sherborne Rotarian Mike Balfour found an old-style large 50p piece in the collecting box for the club’s annual Nativity in the Conduit, he knew it would not be accepted by a bank.

However, on closer inspection the rogue coin turned out to be a rare a 1984 Christmas Isle of Man 50p, depicting a steam train.

Sherborne Rotary sold it on eBay for £16 and the money formed part of the club’s recent donation of £1,000 to the Sherborne Voluntary Ambulance.

SVA chairman, Dr Charles Middle, said: “Since the start of the covid-19 lockdown we have seen a significant drop in income. Usually, the ‘Red Bus’ is on the road seven days a week transporting the elderly, disabled and learning disabled to lunch clubs, shopping trips, society meetings and day trips to the coast, garden centres and steam trains.”

However, he said, the bus was now seven years old and will need to be replaced within the next few years.

The services of the SVA provide a much needed and welcome means of social support and interaction for people in the local area, he added. “Users are charged a small fee per trip, based on mileage, to cover the cost of fuel and many of our users describe us as an essential, particularly during covid times. Without it many would lose their independence and be unable to access local services.”

The SVA is funded entirely by donations and its committee’s fund-raising work. “The last two years have been very difficult and we are aware that additional funding will be necessary to meet our long-term plans and objectives,” said Dr Middle.

Email sherbornevoluntary

ambulance@gmail.com to find out how to donate

By Faith Eckersall