WHEN retired policeman Bill Darbon lost his wife Catherine to cancer, he wanted a way to keep busy and continue serving his community.

Now the 68-year-old, of Freeland, says his role as a volunteer driver for West Oxfordshire-based Volunteer Link Up is helping to “fill the hole” but is also providing an invaluable service to others.

The father-of-one said: “Catherine died aged 65 and I was left with the question ‘what do I do now?’ “I ended up calling Volunteer Link Up, who said ‘when can you start?’ The rest is history.”

Mr Darbon is one of more than 1,000 people across the county who give up their time to help elderly and disabled people access hospital appointments, collect prescriptions and enjoy social events.

He added: “It is a sorely needed service by people who cannot use public transport and people are always really grateful.

“For some people, when you visit, it is the first time in days they have seen anyone else. One lady I transported the other day had not left her house for a month and she said going out was lovely.

“And every passenger is different. I had a 90-year-old with me recently who had served with the armed forces and I found listening to his stories fascinating.

“You are strangers to each other, but not really strangers at all.”

Oxfordshire County Council say many more drivers like Mr Darbon are needed.

The local authority has launched a campaign – ‘be a real life superhero’ – with Community First Oxfordshire to appeal for more people to sign up to community transport schemes.

It comes after the council said it could no longer afford to pay bus companies subsidies for routes that they say are not otherwise commercially viable.

County council deputy leader Rodney Rose said: “Passengers describe community transport volunteers as ‘a fantastic support’, which is why we are appealing for more of these local superheroes to come forward.

“It is clear that giving up a small amount of time can make a really positive difference to individuals within a community.”

The county council says there are over 60 community transport schemes in Oxfordshire.

They rely on the support of some 1,300 local volunteers who give up their time – providing 25,000 lifts each year – and demand is growing, due to the ageing population.

Drivers often use their own cars and are paid a mileage rate to cover petrol and running costs.

Others drive scheme-owned minibuses, with training offered.

* For more information, call 01865 883488 or visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/volunteerdriver