Volunteers sign up to go the extra mile

Organisers are delighted with the number of community spirited volunteers that have signed up so far to provide a new service that will help people get to appointments and other activities.

The Community Voluntary Transport Service is being launched in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS).

It will see volunteer drivers giving lifts and additional assistance to people with mobility issues or limited access to transport.

The service currently runs in other parts of the North West however, after an appeal for volunteers was launched recently, 15 local people came forward so that it could be extended to Blackburn with Darwen.

Drivers will offer assistance for people visiting a range of destinations including Royal Blackburn Hospital, local GP Surgeries and shopping destinations.

However, when it launches on Tuesday, May 30 it will initially only cover visits to Pleasington Cemetery.

It will provide a viable alternative for public transport users in the light of the cancellation of commercially unviable services by transport operators following reductions in public subsidies.

The scheme will a flexible door-to-door alternative and also offer assistance and support to passengers.

The Voluntary Community Transport Service will include other destinations when more volunteers are recruited.

All journeys will be charged at just 60p per mile (minimum charge per journey £4)

For more information call 01200 442513 or email mia.parkinson@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk