A GLASGOW taxi driver has been thanked by the Prime Minister for helping ex-service veterans.

David Gibson has been giving free travel with his Fare4Free taxi scheme.

He does it to help combat social isolation among ex-service personnel.

He started the scheme in 2016 after he heard from friends about the difficulty getting to health appointments and facing loneliness.

From offering free trips himself to getting other cab firms involved, the scheme has now supported 450 veterans with more than 5000 trips worth an estimated £150,000 in fares.

Mr Gibson has now been awarded the Point of Light awards from the Prime Minister in recognition of his efforts.

Theresa May sent a personal letter to him after he received the award.

She said: “The success of your pioneering initiative ‘Fares4Free’ is a testament to your remarkable commitment to ensuring that veterans across Scotland have a strong support network.

“You should feel enormously proud of inspiring so many other taxi drivers to provide invaluable support for Armed Forces communities who have made great sacrifices in the service of our country.”

Mr Gibson said he hopes the award will help encourage more people to take part and offer even more help.

He said “I am pleased to accept the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award on behalf of the many drivers and taxi firms around the country, who give up their time and income to help us help veterans reach essential services and beat Social ­Isolation one mile at a time.

“This will encourage us to grow the service and to seek new partnerships. These partners provide a life-changing safety net that stays in place ready to assist our most vulnerable veterans.”

The service has grown to include support from local councils and more than 30 charities, including ‘Combat Stress’, which helps identify people who require assistance and provide them with further support.

The charity is also providing assistance for elderly ­individuals and people with dementia to help ease ­isolation and provide respite for carers.

The scheme was recognised in the House of Commons by East Renfrewshire MP Paul Masterton.

He said: “It is fantastic to see such an important organisation being recognised by the Prime Minister.

“David is an incredible, selfless human being and quite simply, if it wasn’t for the Fares4Free team, hundreds of veterans across Scotland would see their quality of life substantially reduced.

“They are not only a free lift to a vital appointment, but an answer to the increasingly worrying rise of isolation and depression.

“David is a credit to the community and a great success story.

“ I’m delighted that he and his team have received this richly deserved award.”