Taxi firm owner from Kettering urges people wanting free rides to vaccine centre to get in touch

A Kettering-born taxi firm owner is urging people who need help getting to their coronavirus vaccination appointments to get in touch with him for a free ride to the jab centres.

Nick Metaxas, of Holcot Cars, has teamed up with Freddie Fudge of Flat Cap Cabs in Brixworth to offer free trips to vaccination centres anywhere in the county.

The pair, who usually do airport runs, turned their chauffeuring skills to providing a door-to-door service to and from clinics - without charge.

A fortnight into the project, Nick wants even more people who are finding it tricky to get to vaccination centres including those in Kettering, Mawsley and Moulton Park, to get in touch.

He said: "We don't care where you live, who you are or where your appointment is - we can do it. I am happy to carry on, to get more people especially those in their 70s and 80s."

The pair have already helped more than 50 patients a week get to their appointments across the county.

Nick said: "It's been bloody heart-warming. Some days are completely dead and then two open at once so we're mad busy.

"We want to make sure everyone gets vaccinated so that we can get back to normal. We have older people who want the jab and we want to help them get there - and we enjoy it immensely."

Nick felt compelled to help with the vaccination drive as his own health issues makes him vulnerable to coronavirus while his daughter needed hospital treatment when she caught it.

He said the call to say she was going into Kettering General Hospital was the worst day of his life but thankfully she recovered.

Nick said the passengers, who have mostly been elderly people who do not have anyone else to take them to their appointments, have been very grateful for the company as much as the lift.

To book a free taxi, visit holcotcars.com and fill in the form online.