A CHARITY providing accessible and affordable transport for Teignbridge residents is appealing for more volunteers.

Formed in 1991, Newton Abbot Community Transport Association (NACTA) has been helping communities stay connected for decades, whether it be through the charity’s door-to-door ‘Ring and Ride’ service, provision of Shopmobility scooters or one of its many other offerings.

A number of volunteers did not, for whatever reason, return after the past couple of years of disruption, however, and as such the charity is appealing for additional volunteers to help them continue their work, which is an absolute lifeline to many you can be sure.

‘The more volunteers we have to more we can do basically,’ Kay Yendall, NACTA manager, said.

‘We would love to have more volunteers who have D1 on their driving license, which means they can drive a mini-bus and at one point it felt like everybody had D1 on their driving license but now it’s not so’ Kay added.

A higher number of volunteers with a D1 license means the charity can do more in the way of day trips, for a drive across Dartmoor for instance, in addition to its more regular operations.

The Mid-Devon Advertiser recently ‘rode shotgun’ with driver Karen on her typical Tuesday ‘Ring and Ride’ trip from Newton Abbot to Chudleigh and back again.

‘It is far more than just a door to door shopping trip serivce, passengers pick up their prescriptions, they go for coffee and so on’ Karen said.

‘It is a social, friendship thing more than anything else and as a group the Chudleigh lot are so tight-knit - they look after each other.’

The first to board the Newton Abbot bound bus was none other than the Queen of Chudleigh herself, 93-year-old June.

Renowned for her rousing and refreshing range of risqué jokes, June, a Chudleigh girl through and through, has been using the Ring and Ride service for more than 20 years.

‘It is lovely because it is door to door,’ June said.

‘We are all friends on here, we look after one another and Karen is as good as gold.’

Next up was 99-year-old Olive, who, much like friend and fellow passenger June, has been using the serivce for many decades.

‘I wouldn’t be coming out the house if it wasn’t for this bus,’ Olive said.

It wasn’t long before the pair were joined by couple Anne and George, as well as Audrey who said: ‘I can’t remember when I first started using the ring and ride it has been so long.

‘I have fractured my back so this is a convenient way for me to get to Newton Abbot.

‘We are lucky to have such a lovely driver, she is so good to us.’

In addition to the Ring and Ride service, Newton Abbot Community Transport provide prospective passengers, including those with reduced mobility through disability or otherwise, the option for tailored journeys: trips to and from the hospital, for example.

Driver Barry, who has been a volunteer for more than four years, said: ‘I suddenly found myself without a lot to do and decided I needed to do something.’

The day saw Barry first head out to Daignton Golf Club to drop-off a passenger attending the therapy centre before wheeling back around to Newton Abbot to help a gentlemen get to Asda for some shopping.

‘Newton Abbot Community Transport helps people live as normal a life as possible,’ Barry said.

For those looking to get involved and help keep this outstanding service going, contact NACTA via the telephone on 01626 335775, via email on [email protected] or simply pop in the office at the Multi Storey Car Park on Sherborne Road in Newton Abbot.