A BUSY mum who juggles driving a busload of kids to school every day with looking after her own children wants other women to join her.

Karen Orr, 47, has clocked up 10 years as a volunteer driver with Inverclyde Voluntary Council of Social Services (IVCSS) and has loved every minute.

The Greenock woman decided to volunteer after caring for a family member and two of her children were still young.

Karen said: "I had worked for Tesco for 15 years then I was caring for family.

"I wanted to get out of the house and back into a routine and be out meeting people.

"I had two young children and this was 'me time'.

Karen who has four children aged from 11 to 23 and two grandsons, started by covering for other volunteers when they were off and then progressed to two regular days a week.

This swiftly developed into Monday to Friday and she hasn't looked back since.

She said: "It is very satisfying to get out and do something for the community."

The charitable organisation has been providing transport for children with learning difficulties, disabled people and elderly people for more than 30 years.

Karen does the Craigmarloch School run, taking pupils to and from school with their escorts on the Wemyss Bay run.

She said: "You build up a good rapport with the kids and their escorts and get to know the children.

"I love it, I hate missing a day.

"My dad comes round to my house to take my two youngest children to school so I can take other people's kids to school."

Karen is currently the only female volunteer among 25 drivers and the charity urgently needs new volunteers.

Karen said: "I would definitely recommend it.

"It's very rewarding, if you like driving and meeting people and it's only a few hours a day.

"There are no set times, people can volunteer for as many or as little hours as they can.

"We've got a good team here and there's a good bit of banter."

New secretary Jim Sinclair, who works as a crime scene investigator, spends his days off on the buses.

He said: "It is a great way to relax and give something back to the community.

"We are urgently seeking new drivers to assist us in this highly satisfying section of the voluntary services.

"We would love to be able to take on more volunteers like Karen."

IVCSS is partly funded by a grant from the council as well as local businesses and organisations.

If anyone can give up a couple of hours they should contact Jim on 07860647761.