Peterborough Meals on Wheels, one of the first branches established in country SA, were assisted on Wednesday by retained firefighters from the local MFS and the tireless volunteers from SA Ambulance Service.

Nalya Lodge, the first port of call on Route One had their meals delivered, from the MFS pumper, by station officer Phil White and firefighter Roger McEwen, accompanied by Meals on Wheels volunteer Claire Smallacombe – later joined along the route by husband, Peter

An SA Ambulance Service volunteer, Karen Chambers, delivered along Route Two with Meals on Wheels members, but utilised a private vehicle rather than the ambulance, believing that the sight of an ambulance pulling up in front of a house could lead to unnecessary concern from meal recipients who were not “in the know”.

Peterborough Meals on Wheels chairperson, Margaret Young, said that the deliveries were a great success and wished to thank the emergency service members for their participation locally.

Meals on Wheels Association president Leon Holmes said that the organisation is “already a critically important part of our clients’ lives.”

They count on us for affordable, nutritious meals and regular friendly contact,” Mr Holmes said.

Often, drivers and their offsiders are the only daily contact the recipients have and therefore they play a major role in monitoring the wellbeing of the recipients, notifying their service coordinator if a client’s health seems to have deteriorated or if urgent help is required.

The association also takes the pressure off the aged care system allowing people to live at home, for longer.

Meals on Wheels branches of which Peterborough is one, number 750 across Australia and deliver 15 million meals a year, with 50,000 clients a day utilising the service.

PHOTO: HOT DELIVERY...There’s no fire – but these are very hot! Peterborough MFS firefighter Roger McEwen, left, station officer Phil White and Meals on Wheels volunteer Claire Smallacombe delivered meals to Nalya Lodge resident as part of the Fast and Friendly themed National Meals on Wheels Day involving volunteers, sportspeople and emergency personnel across the nation.