There have been times when every one of us has driven a family member or a friend to hospital, and visited family members and people who we know who are in hospital.
However, there is another group of people who engage in this activity as their own personal mission, who volunteer in many various ways such as driving the elderly, the shut-ins, the lonely and unwanted to hospital as required, and also to spend time just visiting them.
These people are what M V Tronson refers to as the 'Transporters of hope'. Although many are associated with Christian churches and Christian welfare agencies, most are not 'formally' registered drivers or visitors.
He adds that he has noticed many of these particular volunteers are a little elderly themselves, as this is one thing they feel they can do, and do both effectively and lovingly– perhaps in their retirement when they have more time and not so much physical energy.
For the most part these very gracious and patient people are neither registered carers and nor do they seek finances or have petrol money reimbursed.
Although many volunteers have a variety of personal, family or conscientious reasons for donating their time, it is wonderful that those with a Christian belief also feel they contribute to society in the name of Jesus Christ, whom they serve and love. This gives a poignancy to their volunteer efforts, and an extra dimension to their own lives.
He notices that volunteers in the local congregations in his local area area are typical of these volunteers everywhere, in their need to juggle their numerous other commitments in order to make time to become engaged in these tasks of love.
"Transporters of hope" are just some of the many who engage in similar personal ministry within Australian society, and without them the resources upon the state would be hopelessly over-stretched.
M V Tronson said that there are many volunteers within Australian society, but it is these 'Transporters of hope' have a special place in many hearts as they are salt of the Earth people who help bind our communities together.