Pride of Guernsey: Helen Sarchet
HELEN SARCHET has been nominated for the Bailiwick Community Hero award, sponsored by The Fort Group.
‘Helen has been a volunteer driver for the Voluntary Transport Service for 23 years and seven months, she started in 2000,’ said her nominator, Fiona Creed.
‘She is our longest-serving driver.
‘I wish I could give you the figure for the 23 years but last year alone Helen helped our passengers get to 141 appointments – this is in one year.
‘The Voluntary Transport Service coordinates 33 volunteer drivers to take our 351 registered passengers to medical and wellbeing appointments without charge. Last year we booked some 8,820 journeys. All of our passengers are people in need of support,’ Fiona explained.
‘Helen’s contribution to the community over the past 23 years will have been life-changing for some of these people.
‘If you only begin to imagine the amount of driving hours, passengers, the length of service – she’s supported what she believes is a good cause for so long.
Helen herself turns 78 this year.
Among her regular passengers is a wheelchair-user, and Helen continues to help move the wheelchair.
‘She just cracks on with it,' said Fiona.
