MOREE Aged and Disability Services (MADS) is seeking volunteers to assist in transporting clients.
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MADS has been offering their services for about 20 years and are now on the brink of having to close due to a lack of volunteer drivers.
Community Transport assistant, Sally O’Dell, says they have recently knocked back clients.
“Without volunteers we cannot take on anymore clients or transport current clients to their appointments,” Mrs O’Dell said.
“We have had to knock back at least one client a week because we don’t have enough people to transport them.
“Without volunteers we would be unable to run this service.”
Volunteers are required to transport the elderly and residents with a disability to doctor, dentist and specialist appointments in Moree and surrounding areas.
“We have our own vehicles; we just need volunteers to drive them,” Mrs O’Dell said.
“One day you may be required to go to Inverell, Tamworth or Goondiwindi, or just drive them down town.”
With 80 to 100 clients using this service weekly, it means a lot to the community.
MADS has about 1000 clients in their system and are seeking at least 15 more volunteers to meet the demand.
“The clients appreciate this service and without it they would be devastated,” Mrs O’Dell said.
“We are the only community transport in the area.
“The next closest is Narrabri, Wee Waa and Mungindi.
“If people are interested we conduct police checks and medical checks, which we pay for, so you are not out of pocket.
“We are asking community members to take some time out of their day to help assist.”
Transport volunteer, Sandra Roberts, says she volunteers because she likes to help people.
“It is a great feeling to know that I am helping someone who is unable to help themselves,” Mrs Roberts said.
“You meet some lovely people doing volunteer work and it pays off.
“I just have to pick the client up, take them to their appointment and bring them home again.
“It is a shame more people aren’t putting their hand up for a day here and there.
“It isn’t much to ask.
“There isn’t a roster system, this allows some flexibility.
“I simply get a phone call from Sally asking me to do a shift and if I am not busy I am more than happy to help out.”
If you would like to volunteer contact Sally O’Dell on 6752 2161.
