NOMINEE: Ellesmere Port & Neston Community Transport
NOMINATED FOR: Team of the Year
A TRANSPORT group which carried 40,000 borough people last year has been nominated for an award.
Ellesmere Port & Neston Community Transport was put forward as Team of Year in the Pioneer Your Champions Awards by Joyce Doherty.
Her daughter Aileen Doherty is director of the organisation, which gives lifts to elderly, infirm and disabled people across the borough, taking them out and about, to hospital and doctors’ appointments, and being a lifeline to people living in rural areas.
The group was set up in July 1998 when it received a Lottery grant. The local Community Voluntary Service (CVS) managed the money while Community Transport ran the service.
In the early 2000s it branched out on its own, became a registered charity in 2003, and on January 1 this year became a limited company with charitable status.
The group, based in Dover Drive, Stanney, has seven minibuses, all with wheelchair access, and a team of volunteer drivers. It also operates services such as women’s safe transport and the training of other drivers.
Aileen Doherty said: “Last year we moved at least 40,000 people. Demand can be a bit seasonal but it is a very popular service.
“People can just ring up, give us their details to become a member, and then ring us 48 hours before their trip, which we’ll take them on for a small fee.”
She added it was hard to find new drivers, and urged anyone who could help to call them on 0151 355 3739.
