ORGANISERS of Newton Abbot’s award-winning community transport group have launched an appeal for more volunteer drivers.

Demand for the charity’s services for the elderly and disabled has grown so much that there is a shortage.

Manager Kay Yendall said: ‘It’s clear that people trust and value our services but if we’re to help everyone then we need extra volunteers.’

The charity provides a ring and ride service, community car scheme and Shopmobility wheelchairs and scooters.

It is also a key supplier of daily living aids, filling prescriptions for the NHS and Devon County Council.

Last year, the organisation’s vehicles travelled more than 96,000 miles providing thousands of journeys to people who might otherwise struggle to get out.

Volunteers notch up 53,400 hours between them every year.

Disabled Lorraine Simcox, 42, from Newton Abbot, is a regular user.

Diagnosed with hereditary spastic paraplegia 15 years ago, her legs have weakened to the extent that she needs to use a wheelchair and finds the specially adapted NACTA minibuses provide the lifeline she needs.

She explained: ‘Without this service I wouldn’t go anywhere. I’d be at home all the time.’

New drivers go through an induction and training is provided and anyone interested in driving the larger minibuses is taken through the county council’s Travel Academy course.

Mrs Yendall said: ‘For drivers who’d prefer to use their own vehicles, we pay 45p a mile and the good news is they won’t need to take out additional insurance.

‘Many of us take for granted the ability to pop down to the shops or out to see friends but in reality many people simply don’t have a way of doing that.

‘Offering a few hours of your time could make the most incredible difference to their lives and to yours too from the knowledge that you’re doing something so worthwhile.

‘Volunteering is also a great thing to have on your CV if you’re in the jobs market.’

In 2014, NACTA was presented with Newton Abbot Civic Society’s inaugural Civic Award for its services to the community.

Contact Mrs Yendall on 01626 335775 or email [email protected].