A Leeds Charity has raised £20,000 to help replace a minibus that was stolen last year. Bramley Elderly Action (BEA), which has been a friend and a lifeline to the area's OAPs for many years, can finally replace its much-needed minibus.

The minibus was a vital part of the charities work and made around 500 journeys a month taking its members to bingo, meetings, shopping and other events at the Stanningley Road base. The charity launched its fundraising campaign around a year ago after their 12-seater minibus, which had been adapted to give access for the disabled , went missing in September and was found dumped in a scrapyard with three wheels missing and smashed windows.

Older people living in Swinnow and parts of Stanningley will have access to the activities and services provided from the charity from the 1st January.

Lee Ingham, manager of the charity, commented: "We have ordered a new minibus replacing the one that was stolen just over a year ago.

"Our fundraising campaign has gone fantastically well, especially when you think about the period over which we have been fundraising.

"Although the minibus will not be with us for some months we will eventually have a brand new, fully accessible, 16 seater minibus and written down the side will be our new strap line – 'Working in Bramley, Swinnow and parts of Stanningley."

Mr Ingham added: "Bramley Elderly Action is looking forward to meeting some new people in the New Year. We provide a broad range of activities and services for local older people and hopefully we will get some new people joining us in the New Year. New members will be given a warm welcome."