== Chairman's Report for 2009 ==
From the outset in preparing this report I wish to acknowledge the considerable support we receive from the ladies who man the Cock Lane office on Mondays and Wednesdays throughout the year. On a personal note I recognise the help I receive from the Treasurer, Val Kennedy, who, as my friend and mentor, looks after the financial viability of the organisation, which is very encouraging for the volunteer drivers.
In the past year we have dealt with around 450 requests for transport to the Royal Berks and West Berks hospitals plus surgeries and clinics such as dentists and opticians, etc. We have a team of ten volunteer drivers, eight of whom have a corporate disabled blue badge that enables them to park as close as possible to the clinic the patient is attending which is essential at the Royal Berks when a client has limited mobility.
We are fortunate to receive annual grants from the Bradfield, Holybrook and Theale Parish Councils, and we are eternally grateful to the Mayfayre Committee for their extreme generosity over the years.
Most people will be aware that the annual issue of tokens for the over sixties has now stopped. Only persons who are registered disabled will be issued with tokens in future, and then only if they have not been issued with a bus pass. However, I am given to understand that the West Berks Council recognise that volunteer organisations could suffer as a result of this change, and a scheme is in place to compensate any loss.
in conclusion, whilst I feel it is too early to judge the effect of the change in token allocation, you can be assured that the level of service we provide to each request will not change no matter what!
Fred Syrett ChairmanlOrganiser