Volunteer drivers at a High Wycombe-based hospice have been praised for clocking up around 1,500 trips in a year to help patients with life-limiting conditions.

The 16-strong team at South Bucks Hospice, who donate their services for free, provide patient transport to and from the charity based at Butterfly House.

Jeff Wellington, transport co-ordinator at the hospice, said he was stunned when he calculated the individual journeys at the end of 2018.

He said: “We did close to 1,500 trips for the year, which is huge. I have changed the way I calculate things, and this was the first time I had worked out the figures in terms of individual journeys. I was shocked by how many we have done.

“The drivers were also surprised when I told them how many trips they completed. It is fantastic.”

Jeff, a retired cabin crew manager for British Airways, is now in his 19th year of volunteering at the hospice.

He added: “When I first started all those years ago, there were just four of us so it has really grown. The drivers come from varying backgrounds – some are retired while some work. They are allowed to claim petrol allowances if they wish but they do not get paid.”

The drivers make their pick-ups in the mornings to take people to the hospice for around 9.30am and then take them home between 2.30 to 3pm. Some work three or four days a week while others help out one morning or afternoon.

Praising the drivers, Jeff said: “It is so good of them to give us their time and the number of trips calculated for 2018 is a big milestone and a real tribute to the volunteer drivers we have.

“These drivers provide the most amazing service to the Hospice, and are absolutely crucial to the running of Butterfly House because many of the patients don’t drive, and don’t have transport or the means to get to us.”