Elderly residents across Ascot, Sunninghill, and Sunningdale are receiving valuable support from a local volunteer charity service.

The Ascot Volunteer Bureau, a local charity, has dedicated 23 years to helping older people with transportation to their regular hospital appointments, filling a once overlooked care gap for the senior citizens across the SL5 area.

The Bureau was founded by a group of local Ascot residents and others who recognised an urgent need.

Mr Kitson, the charity's secretary and a volunteer driver, said: "Local Ascot residents, who had time on their hands, discovered that there wasn't a great service for elderly people in the community who needed to get to regular hospital appointments but they often couldn’t afford expensive taxis or slow hospital transportation."

Today, the much-expanded charity celebrates around 32 local volunteers making around 80 journeys a week.

These good Samaritans act as drivers or coordinators, assisting the elderly in getting to healthcare facilities like hospitals or surgeries in Frimley, Slough, Windsor, and even Wexham Park Hospital.

Mr Kitson states: "We aim to offer a reliable, friendly, local and personal service and a helping hand with no need for anxiety".

The charity is currently seeking more drivers to step forward, in line with its promise of a door-to-door service for older residents needing medical facility visits.

The Ascot Volunteer Bureau offers flexibility rarely found in charity roles.

Volunteers can accept or reject a journey according to their availability.

"This service suits the volunteers and services the clients when they need it. We are seeking people who are ready to step up and help," says Mr Kitson.

He reiterates that the service is not only in demand but also greatly valued within the local community.

"We meet lots of interesting people with amazing stories and it is a nice opportunity to have a nice chat with someone who often doesn’t have a lot of contact on a day-to-day basis," he adds.

Volunteer Stuart Henry along with his wife have been aiding the cause for the past four years.

"I was motivated to become a volunteer when a friend told me about them when I was going through the process of retiring. I was attracted to the flexibility of the service," Mr Henry noted.

When assessing future volunteers, safety measures include a DBS check before recruitment takes place to ensure safe transport for vulnerable people.

The Ascot Volunteer Bureau, supported by the Ascot and Sunningdale Parish Council, requests a £5 flat fee from clients needing a ride within the SL5 area.