Eighteen years on, Wheels to Dunstan is still helping locals get to medical appointments around Otago.

The long-running, volunteer-run service has changed little in all those years, and last year 261 people took a trip with Wheels to Dunstan.

Most passengers take the Cromwell route, where they connect with the St John Health Shuttle to travel on to Dunedin Hospital, Wheels to Dunstan Trust chair Gordon Girvan told the Wānaka App.

Others travel to Dunstan Hospital or to Alexandra for ophthalmology services.

When Wheels to Dunstan was created almost two decades ago, its primary purpose was to get elderly people to Dunstan Hospital who would otherwise struggle to find a way to get there.

Now, with changing demographics, health services and health needs, the Dunedin Hospital link is much more common and the number of people using the service to get there is “increasing all the time”.

“It’s a very good service for people who can’t drive themselves,” Gordon said.

Gordon has been involved with Wheels to Dunstan since the beginning, when the Rotary Club first floated the idea, and the Masonic Lodge provided the funds for its first shuttle.

The organisation is now on its third vehicle - and for all those years Upper Clutha Transport has provided the diesel.

“If it wasn’t for that we wouldn’t be able to operate,” Gordon said.

Other costs incurred by Wheels to Dunstan are covered by donations from private individuals and local trusts, and the voluntary donations passengers give - usually of around $10 per ride.

A team of 52 volunteers take turns driving the Wheels to Dunstan vehicle and Community LINK coordinates all bookings and pick-ups.

Gordon said the service runs “very smoothly” thanks to its supporters, volunteers and the help of Community LINK.

To book a trip with Wheels to Dunstan or learn about ways to help support the service, contact Community LINK on 03 443 7799.

PHOTO: Supplied