New secretary for "Care" in Walton and Hersham (From Your Local Guardian)

New secretary for "Care" in Walton and Hersham

4:24pm Monday 18th June 2012 in Elmbridge

NEW CHAIRMAN FOR CARE IN WALTON & HERSHAM    Twenty-two years as secretary of “Care” in Walton and Hersham you might have thought would have been enough voluntary work for one person, but at their AGM recently Bridget Moore (pictured) agreed to act as Chairman for the next three years. Bridget joined this local transport charity in 1989 and was elected secretary the following year, becoming largely responsible for organising volunteer drivers to take local residents to medical appointments at health centres and hospitals in the area, and drawing up the rota for the duty officers who take the telephone requests. Now an octagenarian, she felt it time to give way to a younger person in order to ensure the future of the group. and Pauline Lamb from Terrace Road was duly elected secretary at the AGM.

Bridget’s big worry is that a shortage of drivers may yet cause the early demise of this much-appreciated service.The system which “Care” operates is a very flexible one, in that drivers, who can claim mileage allowance, do not need to commit to any particular day of the week and need only to undertake a journey as and when it suits them.Pauline, the new secretary, would be only too delighted to hear from any newly-retired men and women, part-time workers, or mothers who have a few hours to spare while their children are at school. Pauline’s number is 01932 222978.  For elderly residents in Walton and Hersham, unable to use public transport and not eligible for hospital transport, “Care” is literally a lifeline to get them the medical attention they need and its closure would be a disaster for many. As a grateful client wrote: “I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your help in getting me to the hospital. I’m just thankful somebody gave me your number”.

Based on information supplied by John Pridmore.