The Voluntary Transport Group, VTG, was formed in September 1997 and is now celebrating its twentieth birthday. It was set up to meet the needs of local people with mobility and sight problems who struggled to attend hospital and clinic appointments. Kaye Gardner and her husband John, regular worshippers at St Mary’s, decided to run it from their home in Bowdon with the help of many others. Robert Izod, a retired accountant, gave his services to help run the financial side and a grant of £200 from the Council started the system rolling. Voluntary drivers, now numbering 45, were recruited from the South Manchester area and within no time the system was up and running.
Over the years, there have been some challenges but lots to celebrate. The service has saved the NHS many thousands of pounds in reduced ambulance use and it has been estimated that VTG drivers have taken some 25,000 clients to appointments. Kaye was honoured with an MBE in 2015. If you are interested in giving some of your time to help the community please contact her on 0161 929 6996.
David Roberts