YOU, you and you goes the old joke about volunteering — but the real truth is that the volunteers can gain true satisfaction and enjoyment from putting themselves forward to help others.

One Bude organisation really does need you if it's to go on surviving and carry on helping different sections of the community.

Age Concern Bude and District is desperate for new volunteers as some of the existing ones have found that the years are passing fast.

The organisation also needs to get the message across to local residents about the services it

provides.

Age Concern Bude and District is run entirely by unpaid volunteers and although it has a similar name to Age Concern England (now known as Age UK) and is affiliated to the federation, it has no paid personnel and receives no financial support from the national group.

Age Concern Bude and District was set up in 1977 for the benefit of people aged 50 plus to help improve the welfare and quality of their lives.

"We want to let the general public know what we are doing and we are looking for anyone out who that can help to keep it running," says Mr Joe Reynolds, the chairman.

"It can be very satisfying for the volunteers."

The organisation covers a vast part of the Bude area and offers essential hospital and other medically associated car transport on a door to door basis both locally and further afield, including: North Tamerton, Week St Mary, Poughill, Stratton, Morwenstow, Kilkhampton, Launcells, Whitstone, Jacobstow, St Gennys, Poundstock and Marhamchurch.

This is supported by volunteer drivers at a subsidised cost from the organisation's charity based funds.

The organisation offers a variety of services and helps people in many different ways, all run by volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for secretary, office manning, hospital car drivers or helping in the shop for the charity please contact the information office on 01288 355008, which is available each Monday and Thursday between 10am and 12.30pm.

See this week's 'Post' for a full report.