Local News

Andover and District Mencap Win Free Minibus

Abacus - Dave Wolfenden with Chris Dixon and Andover Mencap team
Abacus’s Dave Wolfenden with Chris Dixon and the Andover and District Mencap team.

The Wolfenden family, who own and operate Abacus, the Andover based vehicle hire specialist, has presented a free minibus to the Andover and District Mencap team.

Over 150 charities entered the competition to win a minibus after the competition was announced a few months ago. Dave Wolfenden, who founded the hire company in 1985, said that he and his team read through the entries and decided that the local Andover and District Mencap team would make the most of the prize as they worked with so many clubs and societies in the region.

It was important to us that the vehicle would be fully used by the winners and having met the team, we are confident that the Ford Transit will be kept busy over the years to come,” said Dave Wolfenden.

We wanted to put something practical back into the society that has made our business successful over the decades.”

The presentation was made to Chris Dixon, Chief Exec of the Andover and District Mencap and some of the team from the charity that offers a range of bespoke support services that improve employability and increase everyday skills for a more self-reliant lifestyle.

We really appreciate the generosity of the Abacus family as we need to be able to provide transport for so many of our activities and events held either at the Wellington Centre in Andover or at other locations, for example it will transport the Brilliant drama group this year to a variety venues including nursing homes.”

“It will also provide opportunities for our children’s play scheme, after school club, Saturday play scheme. We are delighted as it will save us money and we look forward to branding the vehicle as our special Mencap minibus!

Abacus operates a total fleet of 700 vehicles, ranging from cars, vans, trucks minibuses, as well as a dedicated motorhome division. 100 of the older vehicles on the fleet will have been replaced by new stock over the first 3 months of 2017.

The company also employs a team of 60 people within the Andover and Ferndown hire centres and its sister company Horton Commercials, which is a specialist vehicle servicing, bodybuilding and repair facility that will relocate to larger purpose built premises on the Ferndown industrial estate this summer.