Newbury Cancer Care searching for more volunteers to continue vital transport service for patients

Newbury Cancer Care is searching for more volunteer drivers.

The charity’s pool of 26 volunteer drivers contributed 2,877 hours of their time to drive West Berkshire cancer patients and their families to hospital appointments and treatments last year.

The door-to-door service has been running for several years. But more drivers are needed as demand for the service continues to increase.

A total of 126 patients booked 855 trips and volunteers drove almost 50,000 miles between them last year — up from 40,000 in 2023, chair of trustees Dave Ormrod told newburytoday.

The charity aims to remove part of the stress from cancer consultation and treatment appointments by taking the burden of driving and parking.

And it said its feedback from patients has been excellent.

One patient told them: “All the volunteer staff and drivers have been wonderful, getting me to appointments on time. I don't think we would have coped without them.”

The NCC transport coordinator allocates bookings to drivers each week. The patient then receives a phone call or email to confirm the pick-up time and the volunteer’s name and contact details.

Depending on the location and length of appointment, drivers will wait for the patient or return for the pick up at an agreed time.

Drivers preferences for working hours and locations are noted. Mileage allowance is paid and drivers can claim parking charges and other reasonable expenses.

Visit www.newburycancercare.org.uk/transport to find out more and call 01635 243343 to join the team.