Would you have a few hours to spare each month to drive one or two older people to a local tea party - and enjoy the tea and cakes yourself?

Volunteers are urgently required in Horley by Contact the Elderly, a national charity dedicated to tackling loneliness and isolation often felt by elderly people who live alone, without family or friends.

Every month the older guest is collected from their home by a volunteer driver, and taken to a host's home, where they join a small group for tea, a chat and companionship.

Julia Rivas, the charity's Regional Development Officer for Surrey, West and East Sussex, said: "We are committed to offering a lifeline of friendship to the oldest and loneliest people, but this lifeline is currently under threat in Horley, due to a real shortage of volunteer drivers in the area."

The charity won ‘The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering award 2012’ and has more than 560 groups across the UK providing a consistant and vital friendship link every month to 4,500 older people aged 75 and above.

The tea parties help to bring all ages together, develop friendships and support networks, and give everyone something to look forward to.

Horley residents interested in volunteering as a driver once a month can contact Julia Rivas on (01273) 401 569 or email Julia.rivas@contact-the-elderly.org.uk

For further information please see www.contact-the-elderly.org.uk