CHARITY PLEA FOR HELP

Sep 9 2011 by Jennifer Buchanan, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DO you enjoy driving? Do you have your own transport? Could you spare a few hours a week to help a local charity?

If this sounds like something you could help with then Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland (CHSS) needs your help.

The charity is urgently seeking volunteer drivers to transport members who live in Girvan to and from its weekly Thursday stroke group in Maybole.

The group provides much needed support to people who have had a stroke, helping them with communication difficulties and offering social activities.

The service depends entirely on the help of local volunteers like Charles Smith.

Charles has lived in Maybole for the last nine years and has been a volunteer driver for CHSS for the last 18 months.

He explained: “I like the community here and I just wanted to help.

“They have real problems getting drivers and attending this group is really an outing for the members.

“It would be very sad if they couldn’t get out to the meeting.

“It gets older people out who wouldn’t get out of the house otherwise. I really enjoy it, it’s very rewarding.”

Stroke is a major cause of disability throughout Scotland and in Ayr alone there are nearly 2000 people living with the effects of the condition.

Coordinator Diane Barclay explained: “Often lack of transport prevents people from attending our groups so we are appealing for volunteer drivers to help.

“We need car owners with local knowledge who are physically fit, reliable and caring.

“No experience is required as full training is provided and expenses are reimbursed.

“The level of involvement can be arranged to suit, it does not have to entail a weekly commitment.”

If anyone is interested in joining the CHSS volunteer team contact Diane on 01292 262381 or email diane.barclay@chss.org.uk