A community vehicle available for use free of charge will help local organisations offer their services more easily.

They will now have access to a 12-seater Toyota Hiace after it was donated by First National’s Quentin Landreth.

M!NT Charitable Trust - which exists to help to forge great lives for people with intellectual disabilities in the Upper Clutha - will be making use of the van for its services.

“This has huge benefits for the crew of people we support as it allows them to get out and about in our community independently, without parents or caregivers,” M!NT programme manager Charlotte Jackson said.

M!NT will use the van weekly for their term time activity programme, which enables people with intellectual disabilities to stay active, engaged and lead a meaningful life through participation in swimming, gym, yoga, music and dance classes.

The M!NT team is excited about the new van.

It also offers school holiday programmes and trips out of Wanaka will now be possible.

M!NT volunteer driver Jude Smith said she has been volunteering with M!NT since October “and the pleasure I get from helping the M!NT families is huge”. 

See also: M!NT event raises $40k

Charlotte said the van would benefit the wider community.

“To have another community van, easily accessible and cost-effective make’s a significant impact on the day to day for small not-for-profit’s like ours,” she said. 

“The van ride for our crew is the most exciting part. Going on a group bus ride is something that most with additional needs don’t get to do very often…”

The van is available for organisations to book through First National Wanaka.

PHOTOS: M!NT Charitable Trust