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Invaluable veteran hospital transport service to end this week

John Exton (left) is one of the men who is on the Legion committee and used to run the service and David Smith is another volunteer driver.
John Exton (left) is one of the men who is on the Legion committee and used to run the service and David Smith is another volunteer driver.

A highly-valued hospital transport service will terminate this week due to a lack of volunteers and rising costs.

The Royal British Legion Turriff has been taking veterans, their wives and Legion members to appointments since 2012.

During that time the service – led by drivers David Smith and John Exton – has become a vital resource for many local people.

So there has been sadness after the Legion branch committee issued a statement revealing the service will disappear due to a “lack of drivers”.

Susan Riddell and her husband Alan have used the service regularly over the last few years and Mrs Riddell admitted its loss will be keenly felt.

She said: “David and John have been the stalwarts of the service. There is always a lot of chat and banter while travelling back and forth and it is always a good travelling experience.

“My husband is 72, suffered a stroke 19 years ago, and is very limited in what he can do.

“We do not have transport and a lift to Aberdeen is not always easy to arrange, while using the hospital patient transport can mean hours travelling round the north-east and hours waiting to be picked up again.


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“The Legion Transport could drop you off and then pick you up again from the nearest door to your appointment.

“It has been invaluable to us and I honestly don’t know what we will do now.

“I can go on the bus if none of the family are available but I’m just hoping Alan doesn’t need to go to hospital any time soon as everyone works so it’s difficult for them to get time off to take us.”

Mr Exton, who is also the committee vice-president and welfare member, said members had been notified of the termination.

He said: “We’re one of the only Legions that has this system but we’re now in the situation where we’ve decided to discontinue it.

“Costs have gone up and we’re getting on in years. The system is finished at the end of September.”

Turriff councillor Alastair Forsyth said the loss of the service was a “disappointing blow” for the residents who use the facility.

He said: “As a veteran myself, I understand the need for self-help and volunteering to ensure those who are less able get the help they need.

Councillor Alastair Forsyth

“May I thank all of the volunteers drivers who took care of their colleagues and transported them to their appointments.

“Your service was valuable and much appreciated.”