THE PRINCE’S Countryside Fund has awarded a grant to Moorsbus as part of its Rural Four project, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Rural Four aims to support communities in the British countryside cope with isolation and its related issues, with a particular focus on connecting residents and encouraging the development of community hubs.

The grant awarded to Moorsbus will support the provision of public transport for the communities of the North York Moors National Park.

Set up in 2014, Moorsbus has been working hard to expand their routes and the frequency of their services to help an increasing number of isolated rural communities.

Helen Gundry, Director at Moorsbus CIC said: “The Moorsbus Community Interest Company are absolutely delighted to be awarded this funding. One of the biggest challenges facing the Moorsbus network is how to serve local residents in the isolated rural villages and hamlets that dot a map of the North York Moors area.

“This was a rare chance to be able to help reduce the isolation of these people, many of them without access to cars, and allow them to keep living and working amongst friends and family in their own communities. We are very grateful that the generosity of The Prince’s Countryside Fund and players of People’s Postcode Lottery has allowed these services to continue."

The Fund’s recent Recharging Rural research highlighted the significant benefit these kinds of projects bring to rural communities.

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “We are pleased to be able to support such deserving and worthwhile projects as Moorsbus with much needed funds, and are grateful to players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their continued support.”

To find out more about financial support from The Prince’s Countryside Fund, visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/grants