A hospice charity is appealing to firms to give a lift to the dedicated volunteer drivers who give up their time for free to help patients with life-limiting illnesses.

Ten volunteers currently ferry patients to and from South Bucks Hospice from all around the area – but the charity is in urgent need of more drivers.

Now it is calling on south Bucks companies to pitch in by providing small incentives to the selfless volunteers to reward their efforts and, at the same time, encourage more to sign up.

One suggestion is that a taxi business gives vouchers to the volunteers to allow them to also enjoy free travel when they need it.

Mary-Ann Leader, community engagement officer at the hospice, said: “Our terrific ten drivers really make a massive difference to the lives of our patients who, otherwise, might find themselves isolated because they couldn’t get to us and they would miss out on life-affirming care.

“These volunteers give up their own time in helping people in urgent need, so we would love to find a taxi company to give a ‘lift’ to these heroes in the form of complementary cab rides on an occasional basis.

“The volunteers would never ask for this themselves, nor would they expect it, but it would be a wonderful gesture to show them how the com - munity appreciates their efforts.”

The hospice, based in High Wycombe, serves the whole of south Buckinghamshire and is building a new £4.7m headquarters in Totteridge, due to open in 2017.

It is urgently in need of funds to support more nurses, buy equipment for the new hospice and buy a new van to support its shops.

Anyone who can help, should call 01494 896563 or email Mary-Ann.Leader@sbhospice.org.uk