A volunteer who drives members of an elderly voluntary group to attend weekly meet-ups and events has been nominated for a ‘Service Above Self’ award.

Richard Ford, who retired back in 2012, has been a volunteer for Voluntary Action Epping Forest Befriending Service ever since.

Originally starting as a transport volunteer with Epping Forest Community Transport, he soon became the designated driver for adults with learning disabilities for a Conservation Project created by VAEF.

VAEF’s Sally Panrucker. nominated Mr Ford for the upcoming award, stating: “Richard is a truly remarkable man - he is incredibly modest and asks for nothing in return."

Twice a week, the volunteer organises the pick-up times for pensioners and takes them across the district to attend a variety of activities.

Popular sites include VAEF’s Allotment Project at Parsonage Court in Loughton, a Conservation project based at The Royal Gunpowder Mills or Grange Farm in Chigwell.

He is kind and understanding with a wonderful sense of humour and nothing is too much trouble.

As well as volunteering twice a week and upholding the maintenance of the bus, Mr Ford is also a church warden at Greensted Church in Ongar.

Thanks to the keen gardener’s high level of care to the grounds resulted in the church winning a ‘Best Kept Grounds’ award.

Ms Panrucker added: “I know that he often helps out parishioners, friends and neighbours with trips to medical appointments, airports etc and all this with an ever-growing family of grandchildren to give his time to.”

The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, June 4, St John the Baptist Church, on Epping High Street.