Fares4Free is a charity which believes that the first step to beating loneliness and isolation is a friendly face and a free lift. Set up and run by David Gibson, it encourages taxi drivers to give up 4 of their fares every month to provide direct support to veterans who, after they have served, have further battles such as unemployment, homelessness and loneliness. As a result, they may not be able to engage with the support services available without someone to accompany them, and so may miss vital appointments which can in turn have a negative impact on their lives.
We were delighted to welcome some of the veterans who are being helped by Fares4Free to our Contact Centre in Glasgow. William, Eddie, Jim and Alasdair are ex-soldiers whose ages range from early twenties to over 90 years old. They came in to tell us their personal stories and describe how the support from Fares4Free has made a huge difference to their lives.
David said, “The practical support that Optical Express has provided to us as a small but growing charity has made a real difference. The care they’ve given us, in addition to raising money, has been fantastic. We’ve had access to skilled and experienced people in the business, and they’ve helped us move forward. By inviting us in to speak to members of their Contact Centre team, they’ve heightened awareness of Fares4Free.”
By meeting these amazing people, members of our team were able to understand what the charity is all about. As a result, fundraising in the Contact Centre and in our Head Office was fast and furious that day, and we were able to donate a total £353.32 to help Fares4Free continue their fantastic work.