'We need people who want to help their community'

A Surrey charity has appealed for volunteers amid unprecedented demand for its services.

Care for Guildford said it urgently needed more people to help it provide transport for around 500 residents to essential medical appointments.

The charity said its volunteers provided more than 3,700 lifts for people who had no family nearby, could not manage public transport and could not afford taxis.

Vanessa Green, chair of Care for Guildford, told BBC Radio Surrey that demand was currently at an "all-time high".

"Demand is growing," she said. "We definitely need more volunteers."

"It's really important to help people in your local community."

Older people "really like the reassurance... [and] helping hand" volunteers give them, alongside the social interaction, Green added.

Green said those wanting to volunteer would use their own car to drive people to and from appointments.

"There's no regular commitment," she added. "It's really flexible".

She added the award-winning charity also needed telephone volunteers to organise the rides.

"We want to be able to continue helping who need our service," Green said.

"Volunteering is very rewarding."

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