We meet a man that for 14 years has been giving his time up to drive a community car. It helps people get to hospital appointments etc, and although he's loved it, after 14 years he's hanging up his keys.
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00:00So we're here with Colin in Market Drayton on the lean green machine, the community car.
00:07How are you Colin? I'm fine thanks.
00:10So you've been doing this community driving for how long now?
00:1414 years. 14 years but the end is nigh.
00:17You've done your bit. I have.
00:20Been good times yeah? Oh excellent, I've thoroughly enjoyed it.
00:25So when you started 14 years ago did you think I'll be doing this for 14 long years?
00:31No.
00:32How far do you travel sometimes when you're doing this?
00:35Generally it's local around Market Drayton or to Telford, Shrewsbury, Stoke, that sort of range.
00:43And what's the general kind of assistance you're giving? Is it people going to the doctors?
00:48Appointments, shopping, dental appointments, doctor's surgeries, those are the main.
00:55Your bread and butter job sort of thing.
00:57And people don't realise do they because some of these towns in Shropshire it's not that easy to get around, buses and stuff is it?
01:04No, you don't have a bus service to Telford for example.
01:07Which is crazy isn't it really?
01:09Yeah.
01:10So how did you know the time, was it that time of your life when you thought I just want a bit more me time now?
01:17Yeah, I mean I'm 80 now and although I enjoy it I felt it was time to just give it a go.
01:26And is it a certain amount of hours you've committed over the years each month, how has it worked?
01:31Initially because of my other commitments I was on reserve and they would phone me up and ask me if I was available on a certain day.
01:41Over the last few years I've been available more often and I've generally driven most weeks on a Friday.
01:48Yeah?
01:49Yeah.
01:50And what is it you've got out of it yourself then?
01:52Oh I just love it, meeting different people, getting me out of the house, I just enjoy meeting people and helping.
02:01There's a great social side to it.
02:03Yeah.
02:04How many drivers do you have for the market rating car?
02:06Do I have to ask?
02:07Yeah, a few, a number?
02:08A few, always looking for more.
02:10Yeah, well definitely one more after, when will be your last journey, have you done it?
02:13Last Friday.
02:14Last Friday?
02:15Yeah.
02:16Yeah, yeah.
02:17Did that feel kind of odd then after 14 years kind of?
02:19Yeah.
02:20Yeah, and was that a hospital appointment last Friday?
02:22There were several, I mean we have several appointments in the day.
02:25Do you?
02:26Okay, yeah.
02:27Well thank you for all your many years service helping our community then Colin, it's much appreciated.
02:33I'm positive of that by everyone you've helped along getting to their appointments.
02:37And a bit of time for you now just to relax and chill.
02:40Yeah.
02:41Well thank you Colin, thank you.