A charity is desperately appealing for volunteer drivers.

Care in Mann helps a lot of elderly or infirm people in the island get to hospital or doctors or other essential services.

It is getting desperate for extra volunteers to drive for them.

A spokesman said: ’If you have some spare time, enjoy driving and meeting different people, then this will be the ideal role for you.’

Care in Mann has 49 driving volunteers but 21 of these are currently not available for varying reasons.

Without sufficient drivers, the charity is unable to carry out its services.

Volunteer drivers give their time free but are paid for mileage costs for their services.

It is not a regular commitment, (for instance, not a Tuesday morning every week), and on average the drivers do no more than two journeys a week.

The duty telephonist takes phone requests from clients and then phones around the volunteers to see who is available.

Charity chairman Derek Legg said: ’We need drivers particularly in the north and west of the island where there is a shortage.

’This is a valuable service and is increasingly in demand. Please do consider volunteering in this way.’

If you feel unable to drive for Care in Mann but could offer to do telephone duty one or two days per month, this would be greatly appreciated.

If you would like further information or application form, contact Care in Mann by telephone on 628500.

Alternatively, you can reach the secretary Di Collister on 833055 or chairman Derek Legg on 851350.