Plea for more volunteer drivers

ELDERLY people in north Norfolk face loneliness and isolation unless volunteer drivers and escorts come forward to run minibus services, a charity chief has warned.

ELDERLY people in north Norfolk face loneliness and isolation unless volunteer drivers and escorts come forward to run minibus services, a charity chief has warned.

Age Concern North Norfolk East issued an urgent plea for help this week because the charity's volunteer numbers have reached a critical level, due to ill health.

Every week Age Concern's minibus runs door-to-door services stretching from North Walsham to Cromer, Yarmouth, Stalham and Wroxham, taking about 80 elderly people shopping, to lunch clubs and on outings.

But services will have to be cut unless more volunteers are forthcoming, said branch secretary Beth Buchanan.

“A lot of elderly people don't drive any more and the bus services are atrocious so there will be a lot of people in Norfolk who won't get to see anybody or go anywhere unless we recruit some more volunteers,” she added.

Organisers are looking for three more drivers and three more escorts, possibly husband and wife teams, who could offer to help for one day a month. Drivers would only need an ordinary licence, said Mrs Buchanan.

For more information ring Peter Bowen-Thomas on 01263 722500.