A BLACK Country transport operator has been praised after it completed more than 200 free journeys to support vulnerable people in Dudley through the Covid crisis.
Kind-hearted entrepreneurs Abrar Ahmed and Asjad Jameel, directors of Netherton-based One 4 You Services, answered the rallying call of Dudley Council’s Covid welfare response team to get crucial food and medicines to individuals affected by the pandemic.
L-r - Dudley Council’s Bryoni Barbosa (centre) with Abrar Ahmed (far left) and his management team
The company mobilised its drivers and vehicles to be on call whenever they were needed and have so far racked up more than 2,000 miles travelling across the borough to drop off parcels to individuals and families living in Blackheath, Gornal, Halesowen, Kingswinford and Stourbridge.
The drops have been heralded as ‘lifelines’ for people who have been unable to get to shops, have been self-isolating, suffering from the virus or affected financially by the pandemic.
Abrar Ahmed (second from left) with Dudley Council’s Bryoni Barbosa (right) and the One 4 You management team
Bryoni Barbosa, senior health improvement practitioner at Dudley Council, said: “One 4 You Services has blown us away with the way it has supported our welfare team in ensuring the people of Dudley are being looked after during Covid-19.
“Abrar and his team of drivers have been outstanding from the minute we asked for help just before Christmas and they continue to make these vital journeys for us completely free of charge.
“We couldn’t have maintained the supply of food and medicines without their generosity and their flexibility, answering our requests often within a matter of minutes. The Black Country is renowned for its community spirit, and this is another example of how the area has pulled together to help each other.”
L-r - Bryoni Barbosa (Dudley Council) with Abrar Ahmed (One 4 You Services)
One 4 You Services, which delivers school meals, adult and social services contracts and school to home transportation, plus private hire and airport transfer services, across Birmingham, Dudley, Halesowen, Staffordshire, Stourbridge and Wolverhampton, was awarded a Kindness in the Community Award from Black Country Chamber of Commerce and was highly commended in the Business with a Big Heart accolade by Dudley CVS.
But boss Abrar Ahmed said: “The best ‘thank you’ we always get is just knowing we are helping local people get through a difficult time, that’s all that really matters.”
He added: “The last 18 months has proved what we can all do when we pull together. We’ll continue to provide this transportation service for as long as required.”
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