A NETHERTON based transport business has donated £1,000 to help people living with dementia in the Dudley borough, following months of helping vulnerable people during lockdown.

Transport company One4You Services, based on Netherton Business Park, made the generous donation to help people who attend The Crystal Gateway, a day centre for people living with dementia.

The money will be used to help residents who attend the Brettell Lane centre and their families and will help towards booking new entertainment, centre equipment and activity packs for people with dementia to enjoy at home.

The Crystal Gateway is currently closed to attendees due to the outbreak, but staff are keeping in contact with the many people who use the centre for support by providing home visits, support for carers and a range of other activities.

Thanking the firm for their kind donation, councillor Nicolas Barlow, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "These are difficult and unsettling times for all of us, but for those who live with dementia, as well as their families and carers, the loss of routine and face to face support can be devastating.

"Throughout the pandemic our dementia gateways have acted as a lifeline to some of our most vulnerable residents and the support of One4You has played a vital role in offering this service.

"On behalf of the centre users and their families I would like to extend my thanks to One4You for this kind donation and all the support they have given. Their generosity is truly appreciated in a time when they are no doubt facing challenges in their own business."

The donation comes as the transport company has gone above and beyond during the coronavirus crisis by helping vulnerable people across the Black Country.

During the pandemic, One4You supported Dudley Council to get medicine and other key supplies to people who are vulnerable or shielding through the ‘Pleased 2 meet you’ support service.

The company usually specialises in home to school transport services and transport for adults with special needs, but staff were eager to do more when the crisis hit.

Abrar Ahmed, director of the firm, said: "It's been a difficult time for everyone and it means a lot to us to be able to help. It's not about money, we just want to help our local community."

The firm has helped frontline staff during the pandemic by transporting doctors and nurses to work and the team has also raised £1,000 for the wellbeing of staff at Russells Hall Hospital.