Dannevirke: Tireless work for health shuttle

Don Stewart (left), Dannevirke St John, with St Vincent de Paul volunteers, Frances Walshe, Eva Wright, Theresa Mills and Cheryl Dornbusch, with two of the shuttle volunteers, Verna and Peter Hutching. Photo / Christine McKay

Second-hand clothing, china, crystal and glass and the willingness of volunteers is keeping the wheels turning on our vital St John Health Shuttle.

Those who donate and buy from the volunteers at Dannevirke's St Vincent de Paul store are all contributing to the shuttle service which is facing an increased demand.

Along with benefactor Gwen Fairbrother, Dannevirke's St Vincent de Paul is the biggest sponsor of our St John Health Shuttles which are the life blood of our community. "We rely on the Vinnies' generosity to keep our shuttles on the road," Don Stewart of St John said. "Donations from them are so very, very good and we couldn't do without them."

Last week the volunteers from St Vincent de Paul handed over another cheque for $1000 to the health shuttle service from the sale of second-hand goods at their High St store. "We're all going to need them (St John) one day," volunteer Frances Walshe said.

Fellow volunteer Theresa Mills agreed.

"You never know what's around the corner."

Mr Stewart said the shuttle service continues to be extremely busy and at the moment they're one vehicle down and have had to hire a vehicle to carry out the Dannevirke run. "The demand never slows," he said.

In October the St John Health Shuttles:

* Clocked up 10,160km
* Made 346 trips to Palmerston North and Wellington
* Another 55 trips locally
* Carried 255 passengers
* All thanks to volunteers who worked 719 hours in the month.