Volunteers fill vital transport gap

MATT BROWN matt@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A volunteer-driven service that ferries Picton and Sounds residents to health services in Blenheim has been given a leg up by council.

The Marlborough Community Vehicle Trust, which offers a transport service to health appointments for trust members, was gifted a Holden Cruz – the vehicle previously used by the defunct Marlborough4Fun.

And with rising fuel costs and a hiatus due to Covid, Trust chairman Brian Henstock says council and the community’s support has been invaluable.

“We were seriously affected by Covid and rising fuel costs,” he says.

“Council saved us completely – they’re paying our operating costs for a couple of years, now.”

“The last couple of years have been a bit of a crippler – Covid knocked the wind out of elective surgeries.

“Our future’s assured now the council is behind us.”

Despite a few hard years, Brian says the Trust has gone from strength to strength.

Boasting 28 volunteer drivers, 10 board members and four cars,

Brian says the service has taken off.

“Going to Wairau for a health appointment can be very expensive – travel to Nelson can be even more expensive particularly if overnight accommodation is required,” says Brian.

“Some young families can’t afford to travel to Nelson by other means.”

The Marlborough Community Vehicle Trust only take passengers who are members of the Trust – it costs $20 for a lifetime membership. Then they charge per trip: $30 return to Wairau Hospital – or a health appointment in Blenheim, and $60 return to get to Nelson.

“We transport passengers – we provide the equivalent of a taxi service,” Brian says.

“But we don’t compete with taxis. We’re a trust, and to be able to get a ride, you have to be a member of the trust.”

He says the most difficult trip for them is people travelling to Nelson to receive dialysis. These can often turn into a 12-hour day for the volunteers.

“From Picton and Blenheim we have at least a two-hour drive to Nelson.

“NMH need to book appointments with that in mind.”

Brian says they have seen a massive uptake in membership, with St John providing the only other option for a Picton to Blenheim hospital shuttle.

The Trust is the only low-cost option for health appointments in Nelson.

“Some people lose their licenses or can’t rely on their family and it maintains old people’s sense of independence.”

Brian says the Trust performs rescues; picking up a discharged patient from Nelson Hospital.

“People get flown to Nelson from Blenheim for whatever reason, and they need to get home,” he says.

“They often have no clothes, no money; picture a 78-year-old nana in her nighty waiting to be picked up.” Their drivers are doing the miles, too, Brian says. Two of their vehicles have more than 300,000 kilometres on the clock – those vehicles need replacement soon. He says they’ve performed as well as they have due to the gratis, expert servicing done by Picton Tools & Tyres and Motorworld.

“People are very generous, they just give. We have received donations from Picton Flower Ladies, Picton Medical Trust, Picton Resource Centre, Signs Now, and members of the public.

“They’re not seeking promotion –they just said, you’re doing a good job. More people are generous than the opposite.”

“At the last Senior Expo we received hundreds of dollars and we will be present at this year’s Senior Expo on March 7th if people wish to join the Trust.

The Trust, at the advice of MP Stuart Smith, have applied to the Lotteries Commission for funding for a new vehicle – a hybrid Toyota or Kia, Brian says. “We’re here to provide a service for trust members.

“It’s a privilege to be a chairman of them all – they’re all wonderful, helpful people.”