An all-day music event at an Earby pub in July not only raised the roof on the day but drummed up support for the town’s minibus appeal fund.
Earby’s White Lion Inn in Riley Street held it’s big band day last month raising a total of £470 in the process.
Since the funding appeal for a new vehicle was stepped up by the Earby Minibus Group after the crash involving the community bus in February, the volunteer organisation has seen around £5,500 raised in a six month period.
Bands performing on the day in front of around 600 people included a host of local talent such as Tom Richardson, Tom Scothern, The Dirty Donna’s, Midlife, Alex Taylor and Matthew Kibble Transport Company.
Doris Haigh, minibus co-ordinator, said the fund-raising effort was going “very well” and hoped the target figure would be reached in the near future with a mix of donations and grants.
She said: “It’s fantastic really. People feel very strongly about the minibus and have been doing all sorts.
“We have also applied for grant funding. Having had the minibus 13 years, it has done a good job, and it still is, but all the drivers said it could be a little easier for our passengers (if we had a new one).
“It took us four years to raise the £32,000 13 years ago. We had match funding for that from the Countryside Commission. In February, we had £20,000 so now I think it will come sooner rather than later. We are all very pleased.”
Gemma Lonsdale, the pub’s co-proprietor, said: “It was an amazing day and a big thank you to everyone who came and supported us.”