AN ORGANISATION that provides vital transport to patients and vulnerable people is recruiting volunteer drivers.

Wallingford Volunteer Centre is looking to expand its valued network of helpers in the town and beyond.

The service, based in St Leonard's Square, takes elderly and vulnerable people in the area to appointments, including at hospitals, hairdressing salons and opticians.

In an appeal for people to fill the positions, the centre said it had a 'high number of requests received from clients each week'.

It said: "Most of the work is taking elderly or disabled people to medical appointments both locally and to the Oxford and Reading hospitals.

"Without this service many of the people would not be able to attend their appointments.

"Volunteers do not have to commit to a regular time or number of hours - we can work around other commitments and offer jobs to suit the volunteer's lifestyle.

"Every hour offered is valuable to us, whether it’s two or three a month or several each week."

Drivers also take people to hospital to visit unwell family and friends.

The centre's service also helps people who need to get to the shops, or attend social or educational events.

It pays a mileage allowance for fuel each journey, and parking arrangements are prepared ahead of time so drivers do not have to find spaces at the hospitals.

Anyone interested in helping can contact the centre's manager Sylvia Wear, by emailing wallingford.volunteer.centre@gmail.com.

Alternatively, call 01491 836345 between 9.30am and 11.30am on weekdays.