THE MAN at the helm of the Okehampton and District Ring and Ride Service has been recognised by the Rotary Club for his community work.
Co-ordinator of community transport since its inception ten years ago Colin McClean has been announced the winner of the Okehampton club's 'Vocational Award 2000'.
Nominations for the award were considered by club members who unanimously agreed Mr McClean should be the recipient.
'In spite of being disabled himself Colin does so much to help other people and spends a great deal of time organising the ring and ride service as well as being very involved with the table tennis club,' said rotary member John Stephens.
'He is very deserving of this award which has been running for three years now.'
The award winner, who was presented with a framed original painting of Dartmoor, said being the co-ordinator of the Okehampton and District Community Transport Group was a very rewarding job.
'The ring and ride and community car service is a lifeline for some residents who are unable to use normal transport such as the elderly or disabled,' he said. 'We pick them up from their door and take them shopping to Okehampton, Exeter, Launceston and Tavistock and other towns such as Torquay in the summer.'
The bus, which has carried over 30,000 passengers since it started, picks up from all the villages surrounding Okehampton and the community car is used to take residents to doctors' appointments and to visit sick friends.
'Not only do we provide transport but we are there to talk to people — we are always available for a chat,' added the co-ordinator.
Okehampton is one of the most successful community transport schemes in Devon and Mr McClean said it was probably because it had a great driver and a good committee where everybody worked together well.
This is not the first time the volunteer has been recognised — he was given a 'Stirling Salute' by Ian Stirling of Westcountry Television five years ago and an 'Unsung Hero Award' by Princess Michael of Kent for his charity work in Croydon.