By Isle of Wight Observer
The May, Lady Tennyson Memorial Ambulance Trust, is offering funds to groups which provide for the physical or mental wellbeing of West Wight residents.
The trustees welcome bids from groups stating how any money would be used. The areas covered by this offer are Freshwater, Totland, Yarmouth, Shalfleet and Brighstone. Details should be sent to tennysonambulance@gmail.com by November 27.
The Tennyson Memorial Ambulance was first introduced to the area in 1925, when Miss Waistell, a local resident and member of the Red Cross and Voluntary Aid Detachment, a voluntary organisation providing care for military personnel, had conversations with Lady Tennyson, who then financed the very first vehicle, which was a Riley.
It was then funded by money raised from sales, garden parties, jumble sales, and lots of other events. In 1961 The Rotary Club of West Wight took over running the ambulance and it finished its service to the community in 2001. It is now a registered charity and its main aim is for the advancement of health or saving lives. It assists other charities or voluntary bodies by making grants to them.
Two years ago the Trust provided a new adapted vehicle for Mountbatten Hospice, and they cover the repair and fuel costs for this and a second vehicle. The new vehicle carries the number plate VDL 1, which was on a series of ambulances used by the Trust over several decades.