Nexus has stepped in to make sure a Christmas shopping evening for elderly and disabled people goes ahead.
It is meeting the cost of 12 mini-buses which will carry more than 150 people into the heart of Sunderland for the annual shopping treat.
The event on Thursday, 2 December 2010 is organised by Sunderland City Council and relies on the support of local partners to meet costs.
The shopping evening, now in its fifth year, offers elderly and disabled people the chance to shop with ease by providing mobility equipment, refreshments, a ‘shopping buddy’ to help and festive entertainment.
Louise Hardy, City Centre Manager for Sunderland City Council, said: “The event is going from strength to strength with the kind support of companies such as Nexus, without whom the event could not take place.
“By covering the costs for 12 buses this year Nexus will enable more individuals to come along and join in the fun!”
John Usher, Head of Social Inclusion at Nexus, said: “Helping people get around can mean far more than just providing a regular bus on a fixed route.
“We provide or fund a large number of weekly shopper services, and it was a natural extension of this to support this annual event.”
The annual event provides an easy route to the Christmas shops for people who might otherwise struggle to reach the city centre.
Anyone interested in taking part should contact Carol Wilkinson on 0191 565 3806 before Friday, 19 November 2010.