By Jeff Labine

Firefighters add to senior ride program

Feb 2, 2017 | 6:04 AM

When it comes to getting around Prince Albert, Eleanor George has limited options.

The 80-year-old has suffered with numerous health problems and three years ago, was told she couldn’t drive anymore. George, who also has mobility issues, relies heavily on the senior transportation program provided by Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre to get around.

On average, the senior transportation program makes 6,900 trips per year. She said the services allow her to do what she wants but because of the demand, George books well in advance.

“It’s really hard when they tell you ‘no, no, no’ when you need to go places,” she said. “I volunteer at [Mont St. Joseph Home] and I need a car every week to get there and back. They are wonderful services and you have to use them.”

George, who sits on the board at the Prince Albert Community Services Centre, was on hand  Wednesday to accept the keys to a new vehicle donated by the Prince Albert Firefighters Association.

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She said it was wonderful to be able to add to the program’s fleet.

“We’ve had to rent because we had one car go down,” she said. “There’s so many of us and only two cars. Sometimes there’s two, three of us in the car and we love that. You know them, it’s fun and you have a little visit.”

Firefighters association president Chris Bourdon said he received a call two months ago from the service centre for help as they were having some car troubles. A replacement vehicle was purchased through the association’s charity fund for roughly $14,000.

“This is the second vehicle we bought for them and they actually miled the other vehicle out,” he said. “It is kind of nice that we were able to do this for them. Some people just see it as a ride, they pay five bucks and they get a ride somewhere, but we see it as a way for elderly people to be included in society.”

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter