A LEADING Barrhead volunteer who has helped people get out and about in the community has been awarded the MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.

Ann Marie Kennedy, 75, is chair of Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire and has been helping people in the area for more than 20 years.

Most notably, she set up Community Transport East Renfrewshire, otherwise known as ‘the Wee Red Bus,’ which enables older people to access health services.

The bus is there for anyone who is struggling to make an appointment with their GP, hospital or clinic – and all on a voluntary basis.

Mrs Kennedy, who earns the MBE for services to the community in East Renfrewshire, said she never expected to win such a prestigious honour – and she has dedicated the accolade to her “fantastic” volunteer drivers.

She said: “When I got the letter through the door, I just thought ‘my goodness me’. I was very surprised.

“The journey started back in 2000 for me when I saw an advert in the Barrhead News which said the community transport service was looking for volunteers. It was really just in Barrhead and Neilston at that time but we’ve now managed to expand it right across East Renfrewshire.

“I was looking for something to do at the time, as I had been looking after my mum and dad before they passed away.

“We must take about 70 to 80 calls a week now, so it’s really built up.

“I really couldn’t do it without my fantastic volunteers, though, so I feel as if this is an award for all of them too.”

Not only does the service transport people to appointments, it also takes them on shopping trips and to have afternoon tea at Voluntary Action in Barrhead.

As well as helping older people, the service also transports patients to and from the Beatson Cancer Centre, in Glasgow.

Mrs Kennedy’s efforts have grabbed the attention of many well-known figures, including the Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer Ken Macintosh, who named her as his ‘local hero’ in 2016.

She was also one of 128 community workers chosen by MSPs to take part in the historic Riding procession along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile as it made its way towards Holyrood for the opening of the new parliamentary session that year.

And there was a further honour for the mum and grandmother-of-two in 2017 when she was named East Renfrewshire Citizen of the Year.

Mrs Kennedy added: “The most fulfilling thing for me is just getting the chance to help people and enable them to get out and about. A service like this helps to tackle isolation and we find that we do get to know lots of people. I know they really appreciate the transport.

“I’ve only ever been to Buckingham Palace once before but I’ve never got to meet the Queen or anyone like that, so it will be exciting.”

East Renfrewshire Provost Jim Fletcher added: “I’m delighted to see Anne Marie Kennedy honoured for her work running East Renfrewshire Community Transport.

“The charity plays a vital role, supporting residents with a disability or living with financial or other hardships by providing transport to medical appointments and community activities.”