A transport service for wheelchair users in Deal, Dover and Sandwich has relaunched and is now able to offer day trips and longer journeys.

Trudy’s Wheels run by Donnie Farago and Alan Clarke is offering four hours of driving for £25 and a day for £45, plus the price of petrol.

The community interest company is a non-profit organisation so all funds will go back into Trudy’s Wheels.

It also offers a new self-drive service which means if someone would like to take a family member with a mobility scooter or wheelchair out for the day, as long as they are over 25 and have a full, clean driving licence, they can drive Trudy’s Wheels’ Renault Kangoo.

Mrs Farago said: “People want to take family members and friends who are wheelchair users but they can’t do so in their own car.

“We have found that people want to do this more than just going shopping.

“It makes a huge difference to their lives.”

Trudy’s Wheels started after Mr and Mrs Farago bought the wheelchair friendly vehicle for Mr Farago’s cousin Trudy Marriott, who died in 2013 aged 96.

Mrs Marriott was born in Austria and came to England as a Jewish refugee.

Her parents and younger sister died in the Holocaust. During the Second World War she served as a sergeant in the Anti-Aircraft Corps in the British Army.

“It makes a huge difference to their lives.” - Mrs Farago

After she died, Mrs Farago decided to donate the vehicle to the people of Deal and surrounding areas to use.

It was initially used to take those struggling with mobility to get to the shops but found that day trips and longer journeys were more popular.

Trudy’s Wheels is looking for volunteer drivers to assist. Those interested should contact Alan on 01304 379677 or Donnie on 01304 379466.

More information about the new service can be found on Facebook and the website at www.trudyswheels.co.uk

Or alternatively call the above numbers or email info@trudyswheels.co.uk