The founder of a charity set up to help veterans get access to essential transport has now rolled out the service in the north-east.
Fares4Free works with taxi firms to encourage drivers to give up free journeys to veterans in their area every month.
This helps to make sure they can engage with all the services available in their local community.
David Gibson founded the charity after being told he was unable to donate lifts to passengers by his insurance company.
He started off the charity in the central belt and aims to branch out across the whole of Scotland.
Taxi firms currently signed up to the scheme include Inverness City Taxis, Rainbow City Taxis, Highland Taxis and A2B Cabs in Elgin.
Now a Peterhead business has offered up its services too.
David Gibson said: “Central Taxis have come forward and joined us as the newest and first north-east partner.
“We’re happy to get someone on board from Peterhead – it’s making the connections much easier and it’s exciting to be bridging the gaps between towns and hopefully we can get many more coming forward so we can link the whole country together.”
One veteran, Barney Roberts, who lives in the Cardonald area of Glasgow, has used the service many times.
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The 92-year-old was initially put into contact with Fares4Free to provide transport to the nursing home where his late wife stayed.
He said: “She was about four miles away and the service helped me visit her there on a number of occasions, especially when the weather was bad as it meant I could still go and see her.
“We had been married 68 years and I used to try and go every day – I would never have managed to get there if it wasn’t for Fares4Free.
“I was in the Royal Navy during the Second World War for five years between 1942 and 1947.
“There are no words to explain five years at war, it’s extremely difficult and was a very hard job.
“I’m 92 now and can’t get very far under my own steam.
“It’s a wonderful – it’s really changed my life.”
Mr Gibson said friendly taxi drivers could help veterans battling isolation and loneliness as well as get access to services to help with PTSD, homelessness, health and unemployment.
Paul Anderson, managing director of Central Taxis based in the north-east, said: “Veterans have worked hard for our country so it’s an opportunity to give something back.”
For more information or to get involved call 07708 299399.
