BREWER Thwaites has launched a fund-raising drive to buy a community minibus.

Hundreds of collection boxes are being distributed round Thwaites pubs to support the brewery's Millennium Fund which is hoping to raise £30,000 to buy a specially adapted minibus for the use of pensioners. Thwaites has already donated £5,000 and many pubs are organising special events.

Brewery staff are planning a sponsored walk next month and a gala dinner is being organised for December. "This is a most worthy cause and our aim is to improve the daily lives of thousands of older people," said Thwaites director Ann Yerburgh.

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