Care in Haslemere is appealing for volunteer drivers to continue the “wonderful legacy” of its founder and life president Mary Holthouse, who died late last year aged 96.

Mary worked with Care in Haslemere for more than 40 years, helping to set up and run what is essentially a good neighbour scheme for Haslemere and surrounding villages.

Now almost exclusively a voluntary driving service, Care needs more drivers to transport clients to and from medical and dental practices and to the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford. Some willing drivers will also venture further, and all volunteers can claim 45p per mile towards petrol and running costs.

Alison Palmer, of Care in Haslemere, said: “If you can spare an hour or two per week and would be interested in helping those in your local community, please ring the Care office on 01428 652505 between 10am and midday, Monday to Friday, or email us at [email protected]

“In this way, Mary’s wonderful legacy to the people of Haslemere can be assured of continuing for many years to come.”

Mary’s funeral took place on Monday, November 21. There was a service of committal at Guildford Crematorium, followed by a service of thanksgiving at All Saints Church, Grayswood, where Mary used to worship.

This was very well attended by family, friends and colleagues from Care in Haslemere and the League of Friends of Haslemere Hospital. Mary was the life president of Care in Haslemere which she originally helped to set up in 1978.

Mary’s lifespan matched almost exactly that of our late Queen Elizabeth II. She was born in May 1926 in Saskatchewan, Canada, where her father was working as an Anglican minister, and Mary was nine years old when she first came to England with her family.

After leaving school she embarked upon a career in nursing, beginning her training at St Thomas’s Hospital in London, and later on spending ten years nursing in Kenya, East Africa.

In 1973 Mary decided to change her career path and began training to become a health visitor, and it was in this new role that she joined Haslemere Health Centre where she met Dr Grahame Randall. They both went on to work closely together for Care in Haslemere for many years.

At the thanksgiving service Dr Randall spoke of his respect and admiration for Mary, as did the Rev Fiona Gwynn in her address.

Both of Mary’s nieces, Margaret and Eva, gave very loving tributes to one of their ‘Giddies’: Mary and her sister Elizabeth – also well known and admired in the local community and present at this service – were known jointly to the family by this title, as in ‘Giddy Aunts”!

Mary’s nieces were also very proud of the fact she was given an award in 2010 for services to Haslemere.