More help needed to transport cancer patients around North East and Teesside
Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group say they're there for people
Last updated 12th Aug 2024
A County Durham charity say they do not have enough volunteers to cope with the huge rise in demand for their services.
The Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group offers transport to and from appointments for patients, as well as having a place for respite and to have a break.
The charity say they need people to help take those with cancer to where they need to be, especially in and around Darlington.
Founder, Allison White, said: "Certainly since Covid we've seen a massive difference in people being diagnosed with this horrible disease and before we used to call it 'the big C', and now obviously it's getting spoke about more and everybody knows somebody now with cancer and so we need to make sure that they know what support's out there for them.
"One of our big services that we provide free of charge is the patient transport, so we take patients for anything to do with their cancer journey such as going to treatment, we take them for scans, which used to be Monday to Friday, but unfortunately so many people are getting diagnosed that we're actually taking people to hospital on a Saturday.
"We do go to all of our hospitals locally around here in this area but also including up to Newcastle and Northallerton. There's a big need for this, we've seen it. The drivers are voluntary, they get their mileage paid. We sort of spent £400 a month approximately before Covid and now it's over £4,000.
"We do get a lot of phone calls from hospitals, doctor surgeries and stuff, and we do help a lot of patients for last-minute appointments. We try our very best to send a driver and this is why we need your support now. It's to find some more drivers, couple of hours just once a week. It does make a difference.
"Going through treatment is stressful enough without having to worry about who's going to take you to hospital. We've even met patients who've got three buses to go to say Darlington to James Cook and she's in her 80's. It's just astonishing to find that these people aren't getting told about what we do."
What do the drivers say?
Eileen said: "I became a volunteer driver after working on the ambulance service for many years, then receiving a cancer diagnosis myself, I felt that I could empathise with the patients and use my ambulance service knowledge to make their journeys to and from hospital as comfortable and safe as possible, I love my work and have met some lovely people who are probably going through the worst time of their lives."
Sheena said: "I am a volunteer driver as it's a hard enough journey being on a cancer journey without worrying about getting to and from the hospital, and at least I am still able to help people. You also meet some lovely people."
David said: "I originally volunteered as a driver due to the fact that my wife Ann came down with cancer and sadly passed away early last year through it. Seeing how she suffered, even though the care she got was excellent, made me determined to do something in relation to cancer.
"When I saw an appeal for volunteer drivers with Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group I thought I would give it a go. I now feel quite hooked as it gives me a sense of purpose being able to emphasise with the patients knowing what they're going through and to provide transport which takes away one big worry from the traumatic period they're experiencing.
"When they're in the car I converse with them over any subjects apart from cancer for example the weather, holidays, how good Wales is, and Formula 1, unless they need to talk about the big C, then I try to pass on some positivity. I'm really enthusiastic about this vocation, it gives me a reason for getting out of bed each morning. It would be great if the many companies in the Co. Durham area would help with the running costs that Allison has to handle to keep this very worthwhile charity going, because cancer can affect so many people and their families from all walks of life."
Hazel said: "I love being a volunteer when I first started I was very nervous and didn't know what to expect I soon realised there was nothing to be nervous about. The people you meet are some of the bravest people I know and you end up making friends with them it's a honour to be able to help them. There are so many people suffering with cancer I would ask people if you have spare time on your hands give volunteering a go you will get so much out of it help them and it will help you."
Anyone who wishes to be part of the volunteering team of drivers, contact Hazel (Transport Coordinator) on 07564 973046.