Organiser’s Report for AGM April 2026
Figures for 2025 Total Miles 24253 (25161 in 2024 19188 in 2023,17965 in 2022) Total Journeys 662 (719 in 2024, 600 in 2023, 434 in 2022) Total Passengers helped 698 (808 in 2024, 661 in 2023, 439 in 2022) Volunteering time 1391 hours (for the 9-month period April-December)
We have had a lot fewer requests for local runs (144 compared to 246 in 2024) but the number ofjourneys completed has only dropped by approximately 60, meaning we are doing more longer journeys. We continue to double up runs wherever possible, mainly due to lack of resources as much as anything else. Cancelled requests were on the increase again, 134 compared to 101 in 2024. Various reasons given, and normally at very short notice. 36 due to illness, 82 for other reasons but unfortunately there were 16 we could not fulfil, some of those due to adverse weather conditions. These figures are in addition to the 662 journeys we did fulfil.
In April 2025, we asked volunteers to start recording the amount of time they were giving ACTS/their community. For the 9-month period (April-December) they clocked up a staggering 1391 hours......longer than working a 35-hour week.
At the end of 2025, we had 28 active drivers on the books, up from 27, and 6 escorts. There is a fair variety of drivers, some are very active, some less so, some prefer to do short or local runs and some have other commitments that restricts their availability. All very valuable, and given the increasing demand for our services, we definitely need to recruit more drivers. Renewal requests will be going out to all the drivers and escorts following this meeting, and we will encourage them to spread the word to try to recruit more volunteers.
Also in April, we held another successful coffee morning, where we recruited one new driver. Many of our volunteers helped at the event, and it was good to see everyone having the opportunity to chat with each other, as there are very few occasions where we meet as a group. It gave the public a chance to support ACTS and meet the team. It was very good to work with Dr Shanks and Rotary for the blood pressure monitoring initiative, which is also very important for keeping folk healthy. Books Abroad and Alford Fairtrade Group came, which raised awareness of their charities and offered something different for visitors to enjoy. Alford Fairtrade group raised £260 by holdinga raffle, and these funds were passed directly onto Transform Trade, to sponsor local producers overseas.
| wish to thank Moira for dealing with all our Treasury business and processing the mileage payments timeously, and also Edna and Colin for stepping into the Organiser’s role when | have been on holiday or needed a break to concentrate on other commitments. Thank you all.
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Finally, as always, the biggest thanks must go to all the drivers and escorts. They are the oil that keeps this engine running. We quite simply couldn’t operate without them, and | am very grateful to them all for being so willing to give up their valuable time and resources to serve our community. And serve it well.
Thank you all. Anere My Aw Apr LoLis
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