“They are wonderful people, generous and kind. They give the most precious of all gifts — their time,” she said.
Volunteer drivers could work shifts to suit “even if it’s just once a week”. They need only a roadworthy vehicle that is insured, and pass a police check.
The service had been operating for more than 20 years and stretched Horowhenua-wide, as far south as Te Horo. They picked up passengers from their homes and took them to a hospital or radiology appointment. Some trips are to Palmerston North Hospital, some are to Wellington Hospital.
Drivers took on trips to suit and were reimbursed at a rate of 50¢ a kilometre, but it was up to each individual driver.
“Some take it, some don’t,” she said.
Palmerston North man Chris Brunskill volunteered as a driver after seeing first hand what a difference it could make.
“I retired a few years ago and I took on part-time paid employment with regular hours. This was okay for a while. My wife got cancer and died and I saw what a little time given freely by volunteers meant to the cancer patients and their families,” he said.
“I have now been a volunteer driver for 12 months and have never regretted doing the job. All of the patients have been very grateful for the help we give and I get so much satisfaction from them allowing me into their lives at a very difficult time.
“All I do is tell the transport co-ordinator when I am available next week, she then allocates who, where and when. I then contact them the night before to confirm details. I arrange to pick them up 30 minutes before appointment time and deliver them to the hospital.
“Then I wait, sometimes in my car and sometimes in the hospital waiting room with them. When they have finished their treatment I take them home. This tiny bit of my day is so rewarding that I will carry on doing it for as long as I can.”
