Retired pilot and businessman take up volunteer driving for Newbury charity

What do jumbo jet pilots and internet shopping entrepreneurs do when they retire?

Answer: Become volunteer Handy Bus drivers for a local charity.

That’s what two local people who know the value of volunteering have done, as Graeme Hindhaugh – a former British Airways pilot – and former IT consultant Mark Lewis take up the wheel as Handy Bus drivers, a service operated by Volunteer Centre West Berkshire.

And now the volunteer centre is urging more people to follow in their footsteps and sign up to help Mr Hindhaugh said he liked helping people get out and about in their older age, and urged others to have a go.

He said: “Following my retirement two years ago as a BA airline pilot flying Boeing 747s people might be surprised that I would want to drive a minibus.

“However, I have long been involved in community work as a Round Tabler and have been a Crafty Craft organiser.

“I also know how much value the community places on the Handy Bus service.

“I can’t promise to drive people to the west coast of America or come around with the drinks trolley on the bus route but I can provide a friendly service knowing that my volunteering is valued.”

Mr Lewis and his wife built an online retail, manufacturing and wholesale business in 2009, which they sold in April 2017.

He said: “Since then we have considered ourselves as retired.

“I keep myself active with personal interests or motorsport circuit racing and historic shipwreck scuba diving alongside still tinkering with all things internet.

“It was this dabbling that in 2017 allowed me to offer my services to the Newbury Soup Kitchen with their IT and I helped Fair Close during the lockdown, but Covid scuttled any further progression.

“I still found that I had some time on my hands, so I wanted to direct that again to volunteering.

“A Handy Bus driver seemed a wonderful opportunity.

“I have an elderly mother who loves to get out and about and I know what a pleasure that brings to her.

“It was with my mother in mind that lead me to apply for the Handy Bus driver role. Having ridden shotgun recently on several Handy Bus routes, one can easily appreciate how many people rely upon and enjoy the service.”

The volunteer centre is on the lookout for new volunteer minibus drivers to help start up its new book-a-ride service for the elderly in Newbury and Thatcham.

The Handy Bus team – including Mr Hindhaugh and Mr Lewis – will be on Northbrook Street this Saturday outside Marks and Spencer to meet the local community.

Residents are urged to come down for a chat to find out how you can help the charity.

Alternatively, call Newbury and Thatcham Handy Bus on 01635 37111 and ask for Paul Wilding.