Accrington businessmen offer free use of minibus to community

By Scott Dawson Advertising

30 Aug 2024

A NEW COMMUNITY GROUP MINIBUS HAS BEEN FUNDED BY iMEP AND SDA press.JPEG.jpg

Hiring a minibus can be too costly for local community groups, which are often staffed by volunteers and run to a tight budget. With this in mind, local businessman, Eddy O'Brien, the CEO of iMEP - International Music Event Production has partnered with Murray Dawson from local agency Scott Dawson Advertising to kindly fund a minibus which will be free for selected partners to use.

The 17 seater minibus will be very useful for the community groups, and will enable them to transport participants and volunteers safely and as a group, rather than relying on their own transport. The selected partners to benefit from the minibus are: Clayton Boxing Club, Accrington Pipe Band, Great Harwood Rovers, Oswaldtwistle St. Paul Scout Group, Accrington Stanley Women, Maundy Relief, Accrington Cricket Club, and the Official Accrington Stanley Supporters Trust.

Eddy O'Brien, CEO of iMEP, said: "I'm really keen to give back to our local community and help and support these fantastic, volunteer led organisations.

"They do so much for our community, whether through sport or other activities, and I teamed up with Scott Dawson Advertising to see what we could do to provide them with help and support, and something they really need.

"A minibus seemed like a great solution, Murray bought it and I sponsored it! The groups will be able to access it free of charge on a diary system whenever they need it - whether that's Clayton Boxing Club travelling to tournaments, or the Pipe Band travelling to performances, or a multitude of other reasons!"

Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said: "It's amazing to see the generosity of iMEP and SDA to fund this brilliant community minibus. I know it will have a huge impact on many residents. A huge thank you to Eddy and Murray for enabling this brilliant initiative!"

Sami Smithson, chair of Accrington Stanley Women, added: "We are so grateful to be included in this fantastic community initiative. The power of sport can never be underestimated, and giving the children & young adults of Hyndburn and surrounding areas opportunities to participate and travel as teams to sports fixtures is an immeasurable experience. Thank you to Eddy and to Murray for giving our kids and the future of our borough these opportunities, and allowing them to create memories and experiences that will last them a lifetime." 

Peter Leatham of the OASST commented: "We can't thank SDA and iMEP enough for the brilliant sponsorship of the minibus, and we look forward making good use of along with other partner organisations."

Lucy Hardwick of Maundy Relief further added: "'This is a wonderful initiative that will bring huge mental health benefits to our guests - we can't wait to get out and about and explore our beautiful region. We're so grateful to iMEP and SDA for arranging this we will certainly be able to make great use of it. Thanks so much for your generosity!"

Offering everything from lighting, sound, staging and special effects, to fully managed music and theatre event production, iMEP regularly work with stars around the world and are hosting the iMEP Music Festival on Saturday 21st September at Accrington Cricket Club, headlined by global superstar Jess Glynne.

To learn more about IMEP, visit their website: www.imep.co.uk  and to learn more about SDA, see their website here: www.scottdawson.co.uk 

Latest news

1

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years St Annes Square footfall

St Annes thrives with strongest August footfall in years

26 Oct 2025

2

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

3

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

4

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

5

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin