The dedicated and determined women behind 'Project Action', registered charity number 561, are Cindy Swan and Judith Stewart. Along with the late Sir John Plowman they are the founding directors. F. John Barritt, former speaker of the House is their honourary director.

Originally, around 1997, this female duo used to do readings for the Seniors at the St. George's Rest Home and they met once a week at Swizzle Inn to lunch and to plan this charity.

"We were motivated by the lack of stimulation displayed by the seniors in residence at the St. George's Parish Rest Home. We saw a basic need of just venturing outside for these seniors was not easy.

"We started out as readers of the Parish Rest Home and we built a plan from there to get them out with the help of our first 'blue bus', explained Mrs. Swan and Mrs. Stewart.

Their mission statement for Project Action is: "To provide a free transportation support programme for seniors."

The Blue bus, designed in St. George's blue colours, provides free transportation to seniors in the parish and private rest homes.

"The Red bus provides door to door transportation to seniors to enable them to get to their appointments and grocery shopping and will also help the physically challenged. The new red bus was designed in Somerset colours and will provide an Island-wide service," advised Mrs. Swan.

Today, Project Action hopes to get the community to become aware of these services and perhaps volunteer.

"We will be offering a senior support service in St. George's where Arlene Brewster will be dispatching the red bus, driven by Ernest DeGrilla. and will also offer to assist seniors in filling out forms, photocopying and typing letters.

"We need donations for a copy machine and volunteers to assist. It would be great to have a bilingual volunteer so we could help the Portuguese seniors who need to fill out forms or with translating a formal letter," they explained.

Philanthropist, David Barber, became the original benefactor who contributed $160,000 to buy these community buses.

When asked how Mr. Barber came to be their hero they said that he was their guardian angel and Santa Claus wrapped together. He read an article in 1998 about the late Sir John Plowman and his involvement in Project Action. Afterward, Mr. Barber called him and made a very generous donation after meeting the ladies and hearing their proposal to help seniors.

When asked about their future goals, they are hopeful to have a large senior community facility where Project Action will daily transport seniors to an array of activities including swimming, tennis and other social activities under one roof.

Both leaders stated that they enjoy giving back to the community and when asked about their inspiration to carry on they said:

"Our mothers are miles and miles away from us and we feel that by sharing our skills and time in this charity that our mothers are benefiting by someone near them taking an interest in the well being of others."

They mention that Giorgio Zanol, head of Lindo's Market, is offering seniors five percent discounts on Tuesday and Thursdays.

It will be a huge day for this charity, Thursday, February 12, at 11 a.m. on St. George's Square when they launch the new red bus service.

Invited guests include the mayor of St. George's, E. Michael Jones, the new Town Crier, David Frith, Bishop Ewen Ratteray, Minister Patrice Minors, Shadow Minister Michael Dunkley, David Barber and Seniors.

The public is welcome to attend and listen to the passionate leader, Claudette Fleming, who will speak on behalf of Bermuda's seniors.

Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 136 Flatts, FLBX or made and sent to either Bank of Bermuda or Bank of Butterfield.