A campaign group fighting for free public transport for those who cannot drive due to a disability are celebrating a landmark meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure, Nichola Mallon.
The Smart Pass Equality Campaign strives to help those impacted by disabilities or medical conditions that prevent them from being able to drive to get around more easily without building a financial burden.
The campaign has been working to put pressure on politicians for a number of years. One of it's founders, Jim Nash, suffered from a brain haemorrhage which prevents him from driving.
Jim spoke to MyDerry about the importance of this campaign
He said: "Our campaign covers people who may have had seizures, epilepsy, those who can't drive because of medical reasons, people who have lost their license due to medical grounds. We say these people should receive free pass for buses.
" I was at work one day and I started to get headaches, they kept getting worse and I had a brain haemorrhage and ended up in a coma for over a month.
"I was in hospital for 9 months then wheelchair bound for about 2 and a half years. It was a long and arduous recovery both physically and mentally.
"One of the outcomes was losing sight in my lower left quadrant, therefore I cannot drive."
Jim wrote to politicians asking for them to consider free bus passes for people like him, and over time met other people who were also affected by this issue.
Jim said: "Myself and Brian Murray attended an event about campaigning and it sent us into a different stratosphere, learning how to formulate communications and approach elected officials."
The campaigners have come a long way since Jim's initial emails to elected representatives. Recently, Minister for Infrastructure Nichola Mallon put her support behind the campaign in a zoom meeting.
Jim spoke to MyDerry about the importance of this landmark meeting with the Minister for Infrastructure.
He said: "The meeting with the Minister was incredibly helpful. Over our meetings Minister Nichola Mallon sat and opened her ears and really listened to what we were saying and was totally on our side.
"The Minister is being incredibly supportive and doing what she can to help us."
For Jim and the team at the Smart Pass Equality Campaign, this recent meeting marks a milestone, but they know there is more work to do.
However, they wanted to give a message of encouragement to those who wish to make a chance to a situation they find to be wrong.
Jim said: " Our next stage is to achieve free transport for carers. If you need someone to assist you in your travels, whoever has to help you should get free as well.
"We want to pass on this message. If you are just a normal person who has a major problem, if you work to change it and stand up for it, you will get there.
"It might take time but you will get there. You can make a difference."
More information on the Smart Pass Equality Campaign can be found here.
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