Bertie is bags of help
Volunteersl bhibehindd a popular l community transport service have ensured the Strath’s older generation were still able to enjoy a festive treat despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Strathcare usually organises a Christmas lunch and shopping trip using the well-known Bertie Bus.
Virus-irelatedld restrictions i i mean these cannot go ahead this year but the charity has ensured nobody has missed out by doing the shopping on residents’ behalf and delivering it to their doors.
Morag Butt and Carol
Buchan are pictured .
The Strath’s older generation usually enjoy a jaunt to the shops in a popular community transport service during the festive season so they can go Christmas shopping.
But , with pandemic restrictions in place, that couldn’t happen this year.
Instead Bertie Bus and volunteers from Strathcare, the charity which operates the service, were called into action to make the trip on their behalf.
I rwin Keith, chair of Strathcare, explained: “In late November and early December each of the Strathcare clubs organise a shopping trip to Marks & Spencer then, a couple of weeks later, a Christmas lunch.
“Unfortunately this year with all the current restrictions in place the shopping trips and Christmas lunches could not happen.
“Although we contact our club members on a regular basis to ensure that they are alright it was felt we needed to help them further in the run up to Christmas.
“If we could not take them to M&S for a pre-Christmas shop then we decided we could do an M&S shop for them.
“When the idea was put forward to our club members quite a few were eager to take up our suggestion.”
On December 2, the trip was organised with Ian Buchan volunteering to drive Bertie to Inveralmond M&S and load-up the bus with shopping ordered by members.
Carol Buchan and Morag Butt played the part of hard-working elves.
Mr Keith continued: “Prior to the trip we discussed the situation with M&S who reacted positively and were most accommodating by opening up a till exclusively for our use.
“The shopping was delivered the same day to the members who were very appreciative of the service.
“On behalf of Strathcare I would like to thank Carol, Morag and Ian for the efforts on the day and the background volunteers for organising the trip.
“Strathcare would also like to thank all the volunteers who have supported the organisation throughout 2020, which has been a difficult year and we look forward to 2021 when we can return to normal operations for our passengers, supported by our team of willing volunteers.”