Driven to Volunteer

John Bruce retired a few years ago and thought it would be a good idea to help his community in some way. After reading about the need for volunteer bus drivers in the spring Focus newsletter, he signed up.

“I enquired at the council and the rest is history,” John says. “I have been driving and assisting with the shopping bus and the community cars for two to three months.”

John, 64, volunteers with the shopping bus every Thursday from 8.30 am until approximately 12.30 pm. “I collect people who are often quite elderly and no longer driving, from their residences and take them to the supermarket.” Shoppers have an hour and a half to complete their shopping then John helps them back on the bus and takes them home.

“I also take people in the council car to appointments such as doctors, lunches, or hairdressers.”

“I took one group of passengers to Murray Bridge for a lunch cruise on The Captain Proud.”

John, of Linden Park, enjoys his work and says the service is appreciated by the passengers. “This gives me a feeling of value and the desire to continue,” John says. “That is the best way I could encourage other drivers. The council too, are most appreciative of the volunteers.”