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General News

17 July, 2023

Red Cross patient transport service welcomes donation

Driving hundreds of kilometres each week, patient transport vehicles organised by the Maryborough Red Cross make medical appointments accessible to dozens of locals. It’s a service that has supported countless residents over the years and one that...

By Riley Upton

Maryborough Red Cross chairperson Karen Aston received a cheque for $1500 from Maryborough Lions Club president Lorraine Parker last week, which will cover running costs for two patient transport vehicles. Photo: 180723 09
Maryborough Red Cross chairperson Karen Aston received a cheque for $1500 from Maryborough Lions Club president Lorraine Parker last week, which will cover running costs for two patient transport vehicles. Photo: 180723 09

Driving hundreds of kilometres each week, patient transport vehicles organised by the Maryborough Red Cross make medical appointments accessible to dozens of locals.

It’s a service that has supported countless residents over the years and one that is made possible through community partnerships and the efforts of local volunteers.

Over the last four years, the Maryborough Lions Club have contributed a total $6000 to cover running costs of the two vehicles which on any given week could be making daily door-to-door trips to Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo, Horsham and Geelong.

With most trips having multiple passengers, Maryborough Red Cross chairperson Karen Aston said the service these vehicles provide is vital.

“Usually both cars run every day and if they’re short trips to Ballarat or Bendigo and back, one car might do two trips a day,” she said.

“We could be taking people for something simple like a doctor’s appointment or something more complex like chemotherapy or a surgery.

“We’ve got a community with a lot of underprivileged people — Maryborough tends to be a retirement town and transport isn’t always readily available, which is where the transport cars come into things.”

The Maryborough Lions Club presented a $1500 cheque, it’s latest contribution to the upkeep and maintenance of the vehicles, to the Red Cross last week.

Club president Lorraine Parker said the club was more than willing to provide ongoing support to the local service.

“It’s so important we can offer people this service, it makes such a difference in the lives of local people and is so important to the community,” she said.

“If this donation can help keep these cars on the road then that’s what it’s all about.

“Maryborough has always been a very community-minded area and more and more I’m seeing groups partner for projects.

“I think it’s great communities and organisations are working together, just like how we support the Red Cross to provide this service.”

While the vehicles are in top condition, they still require volunteers to jump behind the wheel and help roll out the service.

The Maryborough Red Cross encourages anyone regardless of age or gender to get involved.

“We are always welcoming new volunteers to get involved with being a transport vehicle driver,” Ms Aston said.

“You don’t have to be of a certain age with greying hair to do it — we are accepting of anyone of any age.

“We’re a really strong unit and we do deliver a very important service — volunteering with this is so rewarding and I encourage everyone to consider getting involved.”

To learn more about volunteering or to get involved, contact Karen on 0408 384 230.

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