Mourners bid farewell to bus charity founder

Published on 21st December 2006 in News

More than 70 people gathered to pay tribute as the founder of a popular charity project make his final bus journey last Friday.

Dennis Say, of Yokefleet, passed away peacefully on December 6 and last week was laid to rest in a ceremony described by his son David as "a fitting tribute" to the man who founded the Fledgling Project.

Fledgling Project

Mr Say, who died aged 73, came up with idea of the Fledging Project in 1990, when he used his vintage bus to take pensioners and people who would not normally be able to get out on trips.

He acquired an old minibus to take people from other villages in the area - but had to wait until nesting birds had flown away until he could use it.

"At the time, there was a competition on Radio Humberside to name the new venture," said David, who with his dad, wife Christine and three others, made up the committee.

"A lady from Barton rang in and suggested that it was called the Fledging Project." And so it was.

The project is all voluntary and David said: "My dad worked tirelessly, fundraising, making telephone calls and passenger lists."

Nine years later the Fledging Project received lottery funding and the committee was able to buy two brand new mini buses, which were unveiled at Newport Village Hall.

"It was one of my dad's proudest days," his son said.

The buses were made to the committee members' specifications, and Dennis had instigated changes such as making the aisles wider, so that wheelchairs could fit into them.

"Fitting tribute"

As well as the Fledging Project, Dennis spent 20 years working for East Yorkshire Motor Services in Hull and another 20 years working for other coach companies.

"It's a fitting tribute that he was taken for his last ride on a vintage double-decker bus - the type of bus he used to drive," David said.

Although he gave up driving two years ago, Dennis was an active Fledging member right up to his death and had also been involved with a project which helped the homeless start new lives.

"Many people have passed through Dennis' house," David said. "His kettle was always on and he was always there for help and advice.

"He was a very kind and generous man and I shall miss him dearly."

Mr Say's coffin was taken by bus from Howden to St Stephen's Church Newport with Gilberdyke, via his home village of Newport.

He leaves David, his daughter-in-law Christine, brother Norman and two grandchildren.