A USER of a vital community car service in Wem is calling for fresh blood to help stop it from being lost to the town forever.

Ted Davies is a well-known campaigner for charities such as the British Legion and the Macular Society, and uses Wem Community Cars which is co-ordinated by Dave Beckett.

However, Mr Beckett is set to give up the role for personal reasons, and Mr Davies is hoping someone new will step up to the plate to ensure it continues, otherwise there will be no-one to run a service which helps people attend hospital appointments, among other things.

“We don’t have great transport in this town,” he said.

“I know we’ve got the train but the times don’t always run when you have appointments at the hospitals in Shrewsbury and getting to Telford hospital is near impossible to get to by public transport.

“This community car service is absolutely vital for me, and I have been using it since I found out about them for the last two years.

“The cost of it is far cheaper than getting a taxi which you have to use sometimes,.

“Or you’re asking friends and relatives to take me and I can’t always rely on that.

“Also, it gets embarrassing to not being able to pay back those who provide me with that transport and I am sure lots and lots of people feel the same way.

“They start then not meeting appointments or not going out, so it is absolutely vital for the town that this service continues.”

Mr Beckett added his voice to keep the vital service going.

He said: “If I’m not replaced then it’s possible the service will fold.

“We need someone to come in and organise the drivers. you don’t have to be tied to your phone – people will get used to one driver so it’s about being on a phone.

“I am worried it will fold and it’s not underplaying it to say that we need someone to come forward quickly.”

Mr Davies said interested parties will need to contact him to take up the role, which is also supported by Wem Town Council.

He believes that Mr Beckett’s replacement can be anyone with the time and patience to help those in the town, and does not need to be tied down as driver if they do not want to be.

“If someone is interested, they would have to go through me though I am just a go-between,” he added. “I would then pass on their names to the council who look after the records of the people.

“The job entails that you get 45p a mile as recompense for the travelling, using your own car and you also have to be available whenever you can to take these people.”

Anyone wishing to take over the role from Mr Beckett can contact Mr Davies on 01939 234387 or by email at teddavies663@icloud.com