Free taxi scheme allows cinema treat for mum (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Free taxi scheme allows cinema treat for mum

Recovering in hospital from a heart attack, Estelle Hadingham is looking forward to using the transport voucher scheme to allow her to go shopping in Swindon (17193/4/PM)Wiltshire's first ever taxi voucher scheme has brought a new lease of life to diabetes sufferer Estelle Hadingham.

Mrs Hadingham, 46, of Lime Kiln, Wootton Bassett, was diagnosed with diabetes 18 years ago and has been left blind as a result. Six years ago she had her left foot amputated, leaving her wheelchair bound and last year her right foot also had to be amputated.

But last month Mrs Hadingham and her 17-year-old son Matthew were able to visit the cinema for the first time in six years thanks to the free taxi vouchers which form part of the newly launched Transport4U scheme.

Mrs Hadingham, who is currently recovering in the Great Western Hospital, Swindon after suffering a heart attack two weeks ago, said: "My son decided ages ago that he wanted to take me to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but we weren't able to find any of the drop down buses and the taxis are far too expensive for us.

"We actually went to the Cascade offices to complain about the buses and they told us about the taxi vouchers and that we were entitled to have some."

The vouchers allowed them both to travel into Swindon by taxi without having to worry about the cost and there they enjoyed a rare evening out of the house together.

"Although I'm blind I can still hear what was happening and I really enjoyed it and so did Matthew. He really looks after me and he's such an angel," said Mrs Hadingham who divorced her husband six years ago.

Mrs Hadingham is hoping to leave hospital in the next few days and is now looking forward to being able to use the vouchers again and to go shopping in Swindon.

She said: "It's okay shopping in Wootton Bassett but it's a bit limited especially with Christmas coming up. I've only been into Swindon shopping a couple of times in the last few years and that's what I'd really like to do.

"The vouchers have made such a difference to me and it's all been very easy. I'd definitely recommend them to other people who haven't been out of the house for years."

Wootton Bassett town clerk Jonathan Bourne said: "We're very pleased that the vouchers have proved useful and it shows the way in which this scheme can help those that struggle with other forms of transport."

Transport4U is a Countryside Agency funded initiative which aims to help transform the lives of people without cars in Wootton Bassett, Brinkworth and Tockenham. As well as the taxi voucher scheme it includes a community car share scheme and an information service based in the Wootton Bassett Council offices.

The car share scheme is based around the idea of a 'good neighbour' and will provide lifts for the elderly or disabled as well as helping out with small household tasks.

The share scheme is still being set up and requires around 30 volunteers from within the three areas to act as drivers.

A meeting explaining the scheme and inviting volunteers to sign up is being held on Monday at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

For more details about the Transport4U scheme or local transport call the information line on (01793) 848737.