8:40am Monday 7th May 2012
By Kate Liptrot
A VOLUNTARY charity which helps people who cannot use public transport has been nominated for a Community Pride Award.
York Wheels, which has 30 volunteer drivers who offer transport elderly people or those with disabilities, has been nominated in the category of Service With A Smile in The Press awards to celebrate York’s unsung heroes.
Multiple sclerosis patient Helen Birdsall, 47, of Allen Close, said its drivers get her to work, help her to go shopping and have become her friends.
Nominating the team, Helen said: “Drivers at York Wheels have taken me to work each day for about five years and I wouldn’t be able to continue working without them.
“All drivers and office staff are unfalteringly helpful, cheerful and caring and will go that extra mile – stopping off at shops for me, coming to get me at the last minute, fetching and carrying walking aids (wheelchair, crutches), getting me as close to the door as possible and generally keeping an eye on me.
“We always have a laugh, put the world to rights, moan about the weather – they don’t just volunteer their time to help people, but have become friends and help me keep going.”
Ruth Potter, operations manager at York Wheels, in Bridge Lane, said: “The drivers are really excited to be nominated.
“York Wheels does important work because people who can’t use public transport still need to get out and about every day.
“If they can’t access public transport we can get them from their door and take them anywhere they want to go. It adds to their wellbeing and quality of life.”
The Community Pride Awards, which will have a York 800 theme this year, are run in partnership with City of York Council and sponsored by Benenden Healthcare.
You can nominate people or groups through The Press website by visiting yorkpress.co.uk/pride/
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