Local Volunteers Thanked

TRANSCARE took time yesterday to thank their volunteers for all the work they do in our local community.

There are more than 100 volunteers registered with TransCare throughout the Upper Hunter and Muswellbrook area.

TransCare says thank you to their volunteers: Alan Gordon, CEO of TransCare with voluneteers Helen Black and Cath Coady.

Alan Gordon, chef executive officer of TransCare said some people are able to give time occasionally while others can provide help for a couple of hours each week.

“Not all of the volunteers are active at once, but they all contribute with what the can do,” said Mr Gordon.

“It is becoming harder to source people and the government does put red tape in the way, for example our drivers now have to have a medical, but fortunately we have a few blokes who are happy to do that and drive people to appointments in Newcastle and Tamworth,” he said.

“We just wanted to show some appreciation, a morning tea is not enough for the wonderful they do, but we want to take the time to say thank you,” he said.

Cath Coady has been volunteering for a few years and said she was inspired by her mum.

“We used these services for mum and I thought why not do it?” said Mrs Coady.

“You can only mop the floor so many times,” she laughed.

“I drive people to Scone and Muswellbrook for things like doctors appointments, to visit the optometrist, shopping and anything like that,” she said.

Samm Turri and Yvette Taylor cutting the cake for the volunteers of TransCare.

Helen Black, turns 80 this year has been volunteering for 14 years and said you never know when you may need support.

“I had an aunt with meals on wheels and that got me started, because I saw how many people needed that support,” said Ms Black.

“And there’s always tomorrow when you might need the support,” she said.

“I love doing meals on wheels, it gets me out into the community and I’m also at the Red Cross one day a week,” she said.

“Meals on wheels I do the last Thursday of thee month and it only takes an hour or two,’ she said.

“I’d tell people to go for it, it’s such a good thing,” Helen Black said.

Helen’s daughter Debbie Hayes White recently retired and she volunteers as a long distance driver.

If you can volunteer some time to help others in the community phone TransCare on: 02 6545 3113.

Kelvin Stuckey and Bob Mitchell are volunteer drivers for TransCare.