A TRANSPORT service for the frail and elderly in the Fordingbridge area has seen demand continue to rise, with an increase of more than 160 people using it over the last year alone.

But more volunteers are needed to help the Two Bridges Care Group, which runs the voluntary driving service.

The group, which operates in the Fordingbridge, Godshill, Sandleheath and Alderholt areas, provides transport for elderly and infirm people with no other means of transport and has been running since about 2004.

It helped 674 clients get to hospital, dental and doctors appointments over the last year - covering a distance of more than 9,000 miles.

The Two Bridges Care Group has seen its number of volunteer drivers and coordinators drop, due to people moving from the area or through age, and now needs to bolster its numbers.

Chairman Valerie Allpress said: “We are very short of volunteers. When we started in 2004 we didn’t have so many calls on our service and it seems now we are getting a lot more. It is difficult to find volunteers.

“The more volunteers we have the better. The load gets spread and the better the chance we have of being able to do everything we are asked to do.

“Fordingbridge has an elderly population and more and more people are not able to drive themselves and often don’t have relatives or friends they can call on.”

“Everyone who does volunteer say they find it very rewarding.”

Last year the group saw 163 more clients using the service compared to the previous.

Volunteer Derek Ayling, said demand was “increasing all the time” and there was more need for the service, adding: “It holds the community together.”

He said being a volunteer driver “is good fun and you meet lots of people”, adding: “It gives you a sense of purpose.”

For information about volunteering with the group call Mr Ayling on 01425 650770 or email hippotrain@btinternet.com.