Our new addition, "Cynthia"

We are excited to have acquired an electrically propelled vehicle (EPV) which has been named “Cynthia”, after one of Age UK Solihull's founders, Cynthia Leonard MBE.

The vehicle will be used to transport older Solihull residents to our social clubs, exercise classes and other activities that they would otherwise be unable to get to.

Cynthia Leonard dedicated much of her life to helping people living in the Solihull borough. She was awarded an MBE in 1999 for her services to the voluntary sector as she worked with many charities including Age UK Solihull, where she remained our Vice-Chair until she passed away in 2015.

Cynthia’s son, Mike Leonard, cut the ribbon to officially unveil the vehicle on Tuesday 25 April at Solihull Fire Station, where the vehicle is to be kept. Mike said, “We were delighted to hear that Age UK Solihull has invested in this electric people carrier, named after my late mother who did so much to help improve the lives of so many people in Solihull. We think it is wonderful that she can be remembered in this way as we are so proud of what she achieved over her long life. We hope that Age UK Solihull and the volunteer drivers will make great use this vehicle to continue to make a real difference to people’s lives, continuing the great work my mother pioneered.”

Mike’s wife, Deana, and their daughter, Francesca, also came to the launch event, joining our Chief Executive Officer, Anne Hastings, our Fundraising team, and one of our Volunteer Drivers. Simon Abbotts from the fire service also attended, as well as Michael Moore, Operations Director from Countryside Partnerships North West Midlands, who generously sponsored the vehicle’s charging point located in the fire station’s car park.

Michael said, “Countryside Partnerships is proud to support Age UK Solihull. Getting to clubs and events is vitally important for older people to combat isolation and I am delighted that we can help facilitate this in an environmentally friendly way.”

Our CEO, Anne Hastings added, “We are thrilled that we are now ready to start using our electric vehicle, “Cynthia”, and we were honoured that the family of Cynthia Leonard, who was one of our charity’s founders 40 years ago, joined us to launch it. We are so pleased that the vehicle will help to continue Cynthia’s legacy by transporting older people to activities around Solihull, improving their physical and mental health. We are also extremely grateful to Countryside Partnerships North West Midlands who made it possible to have a charging point installed, meaning that we are able to keep the vehicle charged and ready to use whenever needed. Thanks also to the team at the Fire Station for allowing the charging point to be installed.”