A DEDICATED volunteer driver received a prestigious award in recognition for his service at a ceremony this week.

Volunteer driver for Okehampton District Community Transport Group Maurice Kibble was recognised for his contribution to the charity in the annual Community Transport Awards, organised by Devon County Council, which recognise outstanding contributions to Devon’s community transport providers.

Maurice was presented with a volunteer car driver award, after being nominated by coordinator of Okehampton District Community Transport Group Sue Wonnacott.

On nominating him, Sue said: ‘Maurice is a man who finds it difficult to say no.

‘Whatever we throw at him, last minute, weekend journeys or one after the other, he is always cheerful and keeps the clients happy too.

‘We mainly use him for our two wheelchair accessible vehicles as his skills to manoeuvre both the vehicle and client in tricky situations allows the smooth running of the journey. He also drives our 15-seater community minibus when our regular driver is unavailable to take clients on a lifestyle trip and ensures the clients enjoy the journey and destination.

‘He is always reliable and prompt, which we and our clients appreciate.

‘He is happy to accompany the clients to their appointment and wait with them for as long as required to ensure their wellbeing while at the appointment.

‘Clients regularly request Maurice; once he has taken them, they feel safe with him and enjoy the journey, despite often being in pain or worried about an appointment.

‘He is one of the first to offer help when we have any fundraising events.

‘All our drivers are wonderful and it is always difficult to select just one to nominate but Maurice deserves recognition for the kind and caring treatment of our clients and the extra hours he donates to helping us fundraise to keep the services going.’

Devon County Council chair Cllr Caroline Chugg presented the awards. She said: ‘All of the award winners have such incredible stories of dedication.

‘These awards are very well deserved for their outstanding efforts which each and every one of them have put in to these vital organisations.

‘My admiration goes out to them, as they have all shown such long term commitment.

‘Congratulations to the winners and our thanks also go to everyone involved with community transport in Devon.’

Cllr Roger Croad, Devon County Council cabinet member with responsibility for community transport, said: ‘Community transport relies on the commitment of its staff and volunteers and the award winners are just a few of the hundreds of people who make community transport in Devon such a valuable lifeline to so many people.’

The ten award winners were selected from more than 50 nominations from across the county.