Lime e-scooters launch charity partnership in Milton Keynes

Lime has launched a new Lime Hero charity partnership with FareShare South Midlands and SOFEA in Milton Keynes.

The charitable partnership comes as the company expands its e-scooter fleet in Milton Keynes from 300 to 500 vehicles. The expansion is aimed at helping to provide a safe and sustainable transport option for returning commuters, with Lime working with a number of Milton Keynes businesses to develop corporate memberships to encourage large scale local employee uptake.

The increase is also built on strong existing demand for the scooters, with Lime having safely delivered over 160,000 trips, taken by over 20,000 riders, since it launched its service in Milton Keynes last August – saving an estimate of over 40,000 car journeys in MK.

Under the Lime Hero partnership, Lime users in Milton Keynes will be encouraged to round up their rides to the nearest pound to donate to the charities. Lime said it will be matching all rider donations and aims to raise £10,000 in the first year of the programme.

As part of the agreement, the company will also be giving free ride codes to FareShare and SOFEA to distribute to volunteers, as well as providing the charities with on-demand access to its operations fleet to help with local logistics support.

“As we expand our fleet in Milton Keynes, we’re focused on making sure that Lime continues to invest back into the wider community, delivering benefits for everyone,” said Alan Clarke, Lime’s director of policy and government affairs for Northern Europe. “Lime Hero provides an easy way for riders to donate to important local causes, and we’ll be backing them every step of the way by matching all donations to these great charities.”

Mike Thomas, warehouse manager at SOFEA, said: “Transport has been a consistent barrier for young adults wanting to access our employability, education and wellbeing programmes, our partnership with Lime reduces this barrier. The generosity of the public donations will also allow us to offer a wider range of experiences to a greater number of vulnerable young people and adults.”