You may have noticed my articles encouraging you to volunteer but this time I am changing the format to give details about an opportunity close to my heart.

I always ask for more drivers for the Caterham Car Scheme. This is a particularly loud cry for help as with deep sadness we lost the lovely Dave Wallace in July. So what would be involved if you could give even half a day on an ad hoc basis?

• Meeting with me to learn more about the Car Scheme.

• You advise us as to your availability and the areas you are prepared to drive to.

• Assuming you are driving something more 'sensible' than a sports car(!) - a trip to Oxted with your credentials to apply for CRB – this now takes about ten days to process, during which time your referees will be contacted.

• All being well one of our long term drivers will take you on a job with him/her to learn the ropes.

• On joining the team one of the receptionists will call you between 10am-12pm on the days you are available to offer you a 'job' for you to accept or decline. If accepted, all details will be given to you.

• On the day you note mileage as you leave home to collect the client and on arrival advise her/him of the total number of miles and the cost, at 50p per mile. When the client is ready you take them home and they put the cash into a special envelope that you give to us at the end of each month.

• A cheque to cover mileage at 45p per mile is returned to you.

That is the day to day running of the Caterham Car Service but why do our drivers do it? One loves to read and so has the perfect excuse for a good read while waiting to do the return journey. Another driver uses the time to work over the internet and a third does her own shopping to tie in with clients. All are aware of the service that they are giving to some often elderly and vulnerable people in our community.

Could you join the Team? For more information please call me on 01883 344444.