Covid-19 vaccinations: Bognor taxi company needs community's support to provide free trips to elderly and vulnerable

Sally McElhinney, who has owned Yellow Star Taxis with her husband, Paul, for 11 years, is looking for financial support from the community to cover the drivers' fares.

She said: "We are trying to raise as much money as possible to give the elderly and vulnerable free taxis for their Covid vaccines.

"Lots of taxi companies are getting together across the county to do this.

"Every single penny we take goes back to our drivers to pay the fares. For every £100 we raise, Yellow Star are putting £5 in, which is a free taxi journey."

Sally, who was inspired to take action by similar ventures in Worthing, Brighton and Winchester, said she wanted to ensure that people stop missing appointments because of public transport issues.

Sally hopes the idea will also 'keep our drivers busy' during lockdown.

"People in places like Pagham, Middleton and Elmer, you're talking about £12 to get to Bognor Medical Centre," she said. "A lot of people can't afford it.

"The doctors' surgeries and hospital can put us in contact with anyone who is struggling and we can book them a taxi in.

"We also want to encourage anybody who has got an elderly relative or someone who struggling, with an appointment coming up, to get in touch."

To request a taxi, from next Monday (February 8), please email [email protected].

With £180 raised so far, Sally is hoping to reach £10,000 to help as many people as possible. Click here to donate