Buckie car dealerships gear up to support vaccine drive
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A BUCKIE businessman has offered over 50 vehicles to help take people to vaccination appointments in Elgin.
Charles Milne, who owns a number of car dealerships, including Regency Buckie, Moravian Motors and Regency Elgin, has pledged to make 52 vehicles and drivers available for people who would otherwise find it difficult to get to the Fiona Elcock Vaccination Centre in Elgin or Macduff Sports Centre for their Covid jab.
Local vaccination centres have been temporarily closed due to supply issues with the vaccine, with efforts instead being concentrated on larger, more centralised facilities for the moment.
A Facebook appeal for volunteer drivers has already elicited an excellent response.
Mr Milne said: "With the closure of the local centres and the added stress for some getting to Elgin I felt we could help a little.
"We are all in this together and the vaccination programme is a major part of the exit route from lockdown saving lives and helping to get all our businesses open again.
"We rely on the people of Moray to support our businesses, it is only right we use our resources should anyone need help on travelling. The logistics will be managed from our Regency Buckie site and the transportation from Moravian Motors Buckie site.
"I have asked our furloughed employees and for volunteers to drive the vehicles. Each vehicle will be sanitised before and after the journey and the vehicle will wait for the same person to take them on the return leg.
"We will provide PPE for drivers and passengers for the journey.
"Initially the area covered for collection will be coastal from Cullen to Fochabers.
"If you require a lift or have a clean driving licence and can help drive, please contact Regency on (01542) 833050 and ask for vaccinations transfers. The desk will be open Monday to Friday 10.00am 1pm and 1.30pm until 4pm during March.
Mr Milne has been no stranger to extending a helping hand to the community during the pandemic.
Early in the phase 1 lockdown last March, Moravian and Regency joined dealerships up and down the country in closing their doors as part of the fight against the virus. However, Mr Milne ensured that a service remained in place to carry out vehicle checks and repairs on key workers' vehicles so they can continue to make their invaluable contributions to the fight against the coronavirus.
Speaking at the time, he went on to hail the contribution being made by a wide range of local businesses to support the community as normal life effectively shut down.
