Service with a smile: UCCTT volunteer drivers, Vic Graham and Sue Harvey.

The UnitingCare Casino Transport Team (UCCTT) can boast some extraordinary figures in delivering its service to the community.

Last year alone, the team completed 3556 return trips, conveying around 600 clients from Casino and surrounds to various hospitals and day surgeries for treatment. That’s a staggering 256,000 kilometres travelled, driven by 36 volunteer drivers in their own motor vehicles.

The UCCTT has been a recipient of NRCF grants for five consecutive years since 2007. Its 2011 grant, valued at $500, supported the transport of Casino-based patients to day surgery in Lismore and Tweed Heads. To date the NRCF has provided $6,660 worth of funding support.

Coordinator, Julie Cozens reflected on the impact the service has on the lives of those who need it, saying most clients do not have their own car and those who do, are often unable to drive beyond Casino.

“As we only ask for a small donation towards costs, people are really appreciative. Just recently we had a lady phone conveying her gratitude saying that she did not know what she would do if this service was not available.”

“The people who we service are those ineligible for government-funded transport services including those undergoing renal treatment and those living in retirement villages.”

We have assisted many charities supporting the elderly in the Northern Rivers The Uniting Care Casino Transport Team ensure that people without access to transport don’t miss their medical appointments. With NRCF’s help volunteers have enabled more than three thousand trips a year for the past three years.