Intense conflict in Ukraine is threatening the lives of families across the country. Homes have been destroyed. Essential services have been hit. Families have been torn apart. People have been injured and, Lives have been lost.

Duncan Private Hire recently launched an appeal with its drivers, family and friends to collect vital supplies needed for those fleeing the war torn country. With their drivers help, Duncan Private Hire have just completed their first drop of those supplies to their local collection point (Civic Hall Trowbridge). The drop consisted of medical supplies, baby products, toiletries, winter clothing, shoes and boots and, non-perishable food supplies.

In addition, Duncan Self Drive (Swindon & Melksham branch) have financially sponsored an arctic lorry to help meet the costs associated with transporting such vital goods to their final destination. The lorry will leave from Swindon via Poland. We hope that these donations will go some way to making what is a really difficult and trying time for the people of Ukraine a little easier and help provide the necessary support needed for those who have been forced to flee their homes.

It has been a very difficult period, living and working during this pandemic, so it's great to receive this recognition from our local MP, for the work we have been undertaking, to help support the community.

Duncan Private Hire has been able to commit some time and resources into helping deliver food parcels, PPE and medication during the last year and a half.

Whilst this does take time and effort, we have been happy to help support the local area and community, within which we supply our van & car hire and private vehicle hire services. It's been a great experience to be able give something back.

So, thank you Michelle Donelan MP for your recognition of our hard work.

Find out more about our Ford Transit LWB van for hire and check for latest pricing information.

Find out more about our Luton Vans for hire and check for latest pricing information.

Working as a partner to Wiltshire Council, Duncan Private Hire has quickly adapted their “Home to School” service to providing support to Wiltshire Council’s Passenger Transport Unit. Carrying out numerous tasks, the business has become a key service for completing various jobs and processes throughout the area, helping both organisations and customers remain connected. 

As with other businesses, Duncan Private Hire has felt the sting of COVID-19 and many of the drivers were unable to continue in their role. However, the 60% of staff that were not impacted by shielding remain committed to supporting the local community. The new jobs these drivers were asked to take were completely different from their daily routine and traditional hours of work. 

However, the team showed incredible levels of passion and perseverance in delivering the best possible service to those in need. As well as continuing to provide a “Home to School” bus service to children for key workers so that they could continue to deliver essential services throughout the community the team has been involved in numerous other tasks. 

This includes keeping Boots Pharmaceutical stocked with vital medicine prescriptions for people in vulnerable groups and delivering these medicines to people unable to collect it themselves. The team has also delivered food parcels as well as student learning resources to children throughout the community who were in desperate need of support. 

They have even helped to supply key workers with the PPE they need, collecting packages from the distribution hub in Salisbury. Drivers at Duncan Private Hire were able to transport PPE equipment as far as Swindon and continue to deliver this service. 

Food banks have become essential for many people in the community who have seen drastic hits to their income. The drivers have delivered boxes of dried cereals to various food banks that continue to offer support to those in need across the county. 

The company even brought season cheer to collect and deliver more than 4000 Easter eggs across the country and established a localised distribution point. It helped ensure that people throughout the community could celebrate Easter in these trying times. 

Currently, the team is in the process of delivering more than 3000 bottles of hand sanitiser to schools around the county including pre-schools as well as creches and childminders. 

Ultimately, the team and the drivers at Duncan Private Hire have provided a tremendous level of support during this crisis. They have received acknowledgement for their services including a Letter of thanks from Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan. In her letter she said: 

“I know I speak for the whole of Chippenham constituency when I say we are hugely proud of you and we thank you again for your hard work.”

Duncan Private Hire and its dedicated team are committed to continuing to offer their support to the local communities in Wiltshire throughout the remainder of this crisis.

Alongside Wiltshire Council, volunteers and community groups across the county, throughout the COVID-19 situation, Duncan Self Drive have been getting involved to provide vital support and services to people most in need. 

In an article published on the Wiltshire Council website, Clark Ferguson of Duncan Private Hire in Melksham said,

"During COVID-19, we have continued to deliver  "Home to School" transport for vulnerable and key worker children, and have used our vehicles and drivers to support both planned and short notice tasks on behalf of Wiltshire Council's Passenger Transport Unit. We have been proud to support the council's response to the pandemic -  delivering prescriptions, emergency food parcels, PPE, student learning resources and donations of Easter eggs and hand sanitiser across the county."

Regarding the support being provided, the article does on to say,

"These include:

• Delivery of council emergency food parcels to vulnerable people
• Dispatch of PPE to hospitals, care homes and other frontline services
• Supporting pharmacies with the delivery of prescriptions
• Providing urgent transport to support the homeless team providing shelter for homeless people in Wiltshire
• Delivering emergency pet food to vulnerable residents with pets
• Transporting vulnerable and key worker children to schools
• Bringing chocolate joy with the delivery of thousands of donated Easter eggs to schools, nurseries, foodbanks and other good causes

The team has provided logistical support whenever and wherever it was required offering much welcomed additional capability to the council to transport people and vital supplies across the whole of Wiltshire, sometimes at very short notice."

Read the full article here:
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/articles/taxi-drivers-volunteer-time-to-be-community-heroes-during-covid-19

160 square foot storage unit to rent in secure yard in Lower Stratton, Swindon. easy access and CCTV surveillance - £48.00 per week
please call  07717784235 for details #swindon

Following basic protective measures and adjusting staff levels (for the time being) has enabled us to remain open through these difficult times.

Opening hours as follows:

Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm
Saturday, 8am - 11am
Sunday, 8am - 9am

☎️Swindon 01793 820000
☎️Melksham 01225 704777

www.duncanselfdrive.com

On behalf of Duncan Self drive, we hope that you, your friends and family stay safe.