"Legacy actively seeks to improve the quality of life of the dependants of veterans who gave their life or health in the service of their country," Tamworth Legacy Club president Greg Roese said.

"Legacy is the only organisation of its type in the world and relies on an army of dedicated volunteers, named legatees."

Traditionally, legatees were returned servicemen but for many years membership has been open to men and women who support Legacy's ideals to provide the legacy of care to veterans and their families.

"Volunteers don't have to commit full time but can become 'friends of Legacy' to assist Legacy on special occasions," Mr Roese said.

"Our servicemen and women must always know that should they lose their lives or health in the course of their duty, the rest of Australia will look after their families through Legacy."

Tamworth Legacy was established in 1948 and provides support to 470 widows.

The branch has 72 legatees.

Legacy Week is the annual national appeal to raise awareness and funds for the families of our incapacitated and deceased veterans.

Funds raised from Legacy Week help Legacy continue to assist about 60,000 beneficiaries, with 96 per cent of them being elderly widows.

For more information, phone Mr Roese on 0401 253 086

FOR more than 30 years, Oxley Community Transport Service has been delivering award-winning services to the frail, aged, elderly and disadvantaged people in the Tamworth area and Liverpool Plains Shire.

The service covers 14,978 kilometres, and relies heavily on its team of volunteers in the outlying areas, with their actions and the kindness that they show to clients.

Staff at Oxley Community Transport understand the value of volunteers, and work with new volunteers to offer hours or days to suit.

Volunteers are provided with an induction, continuing training, uniforms and receive a lunch allowance.

New volunteers are "buddied up" with an experienced volunteer until they are confident enough to transport clients on their own.

The service is always in need of new volunteer drivers and carers.

Clients are often socially isolated and like the chance to sit and have a chat with whoever may be around. The service understands this, and embraces every chance to show a bit of kindness.

The team at Oxley Community Transport work hard behind the scenes to ensure the vehicles, services and social outings address clients' needs and wants.

They listen to feedback and suggestions from clients and are constantly undergoing continuous improvements.

If you would like to become a volunteer or client, phone 02 6762 1122.

The Lions Club of Tamworth was chartered in 1956. Since then the club has been an active service club in the Tamworth District, providing volunteer labour and raising funds to help numerous worthwhile causes.

Last year the club disbursed more than $92,000.

Among those to benefit were Billabong Clubhouse, North West Brain Foundation, The Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Legacy, Bullimbal School, Ronald McDonald House, The Bandaged Bear Appeal, Head Space, Bushfire and Drought Relief, Banksia and North West Mental Health.

The club also sponsored some less fortunate families, by funding some students to attend a week-long camp over at the coast and was also involved in The Lions Youth of the Year Project.

This involves Lions Clubs all over Australia, presenting the "pick of the crop".

While the fundraising is important, the members really enjoy putting on the annual senior citizens concert and catching up with friends at the book sale in October, as well as the duck races on the Peel River during The Country Music Festival in January. The Red Cross art show and sale at Currabubula is another event in which the club is involved by assisting with the set-up and knock down as well as being waiters-waitresses at the opening night.

The four local Lions Clubs are involved in operating the canteen at the the local soccer on Saturdays during the season, which is a lot of fun.

Members are involved in Meals on Wheels, with both kitchen duties and delivery rosters.

Away from all the "work" the club has a busy social life with tag-along car trips, meal-and-a-movie nights and they have just come back from a weekend which involved a Postmans Boat Cruise on the Hawkesbury River.

The Lions Club of Tamworth meets on the first and third Wednesday of the month, 6pm for 6.30pm at the North Tamworth Bowling Club in Bligh Street.

For more information, phone Glen on 0428 936110.