DRIVERS who give up their own time to help vulnerable people get to medical appointments have been thanked for their efforts.

Dunmow Christian Care, which is one of the chosen charities of town mayor Ron Clover, invited over 100 of its volunteer drivers and clients to St Mary’s Church’s vicarage gardens for a tea party as a reward for giving up their time to help, and to those who use the service regularly.

The charity provides elderly, immobile and isolated residents with transport to medical appointments.

Unlike a conventional taxi service, the drivers accompany the clients into the hospital and wait with them until they are ready for the return journey. The drivers transport clients to all the hospitals in the locality including Broomfield in Chelmsford, PAH in Harlow, St Margaret’s in Epping and Addenbrookes in Cambridge.

Chairman of Dunmow Christian Care Peggy Baines was pleased to see so many people turn up to the thank you tea party.

“We are very proud of the service and the fact that over 100 invites were sent out shows just how many people are using Dunmow Christian Care.

“Our drivers know the hospitals like the back of their hands which provides a lot of peace of mind, especially at Broomfield where a lot of changes have taken place recently,” she said.

Liz Kerry, who coordinates all the drivers, told the Broadcast it is a “heart-warming experience” to get to work with so many people who give up their time to help others.

Reverend David Ainge also praised the charity for bringing all the churches together for a single cause.

“Dunmow Christian Care has drivers from the United Reform Church, Open Door, the catholic church and many more,” he said. “It has never been a partisan charity which is tremendous to see.”