£6,000 boost for the work of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust

THE work of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust in keeping the elderly and vulnerable safe in their homes has been boosted by a donation from rural insurer NFU Mutual.

Its South Cotswolds Agency donated £6,509 from NFU Mutual’s national £1.92m Agency Giving Fund to the trust after it was chosen by staff at its offices in Langley Burrell, near Chippenham, Royal Wootton Bassett and Wotton-under-Edge.

Bobby Van Director Jennie Shaw said the money will be vital in supporting the work of the charity, which works in partnership with Wiltshire Police. Its operators, who are former police officers, visit homes across Wiltshire and Swindon to offer free practical home security measures and fire safety assessments for people over 60, those at risk of domestic abuse or over 18 with a registered disability.

It also has a team of Stay Safe Online volunteers who visit older and vulnerable people in their homes and give talks to groups about preventing online fraud.

NFU Mutual South Cotswolds Partner Mark Constable said the agency, which has 34 staff, nominated the Bobby Van for a donation from the fund because its ideals match its own.

He said:

“We’ve been aware of the charity for a long time and we often see its vans travelling around.

“Its work is very aligned in a way with NFU Mutual’s purpose as an insurer to prevent and protect. We know that our customers are concerned that they may be a victim of theft so supporting the Bobby Van Trust is another way we can help our clients and the wider community.”

Mrs Shaw added:

“We are deeply grateful for this support. The trust has to raise around £310,000 a year to maintain our work and this contribution will be a great help. Having support from a respected name such as NFU Mutual gives us great belief in what we are doing.”

The South Cotswold branch of NFU Mutual has also supported other charities including Dorothy House Hospice, Wiltshire Treehouse and Macmillan. Mr Constable said championing charities in the area is important.

He said:

“As a mutual organisation, NFU Mutual has a strong ethos to look after its members and this includes supporting community initiatives.

“We do a lot of work locally, whether it’s volunteering, charity fundraising, or funding charities and we’re delighted to contribute to our community.”

NFU Mutual’s Agency Giving Fund was set up during the pandemic in 2020 to support grassroots frontline charities. It has pledged to give £1.92m in 2024 and since 2020 has now awarded a total of more than £8.76 million to charities across the UK.

Find out more about the work of the charity at: wiltshirebobbyvan.org.uk.