One year of our Chesterfield transport!

We’re excited to be celebrating a year since the launch of our Chesterfield transport service, which provides vital free travel for people living in Chesterfield who need cancer treatment at Sheffield hospitals.

In the year since the service launched, it has covered more than 14,000 miles, making more than 500 round trips to provide essential access to treatment – which may otherwise have been difficult for people in need of treatment and care which could change or save their lives.

A team of superstar volunteer drivers has dedicated more than 4,000 volunteer hours over the last 12 months, with patients saving more than £33,000 on taxi fares and transport costs collectively, based on a £30 taxi fare each way between Chesterfield and Weston Park.

Most importantly, though, our transport aims to relieve the stresses and strains which travel to and from Weston Park can bring.

We were very privileged to celebrate the milestone with BBC Radio Sheffield, with their reporter Simon Thake joining us on board for a very special journey from Chesterfield.

To listen to BBC Radio Sheffield's coverage on Wednesday 27 April on Toby Foster's Breakfast Show, click here, head to the relevant programme and tune in at 7:15am and 8:15am.

Graham, who travelled with us 23 times during his treatment for prostate cancer, said: “What helps is that the drivers all have so many stories and anecdotes and some have been in similar situations.

“You got back onto the bus to come home and sometimes you can have banter on the way back – but the drivers always seem to know whether you want to talk or not. Some days I came on and I don’t think any of the drivers would have minded if I’d have had a nap – it was wonderful.

“It got to the point that the bus journey was the best part of going to the hospital because you knew you were going to be talking and having a laugh all the way. The drivers become your friends.”

Chris, who also travelled on our bus for 21 days during his radiotherapy treatment, said: “I’d never been to Weston Park before my treatment started, I didn’t understand the layout of the place or the parking, and I thought ‘I’m going to be really wound up if I drive there’.

“And then one of the Macmillan nurses mentioned to me about this service, I got in touch with Matt (Hadley, our Transport Manager), he talked me through it all. And I’ve got to say this service is absolutely unbelievable. They’ve thought of everything.

“You feel at ease the drivers completely take your mind off everything – they’re so friendly, they’re so knowledgeable and they’re always happy to have a chat.”

The success and importance of our Chesterfield transport, which is operated in partnership with Community Chesterfield, Derbyshire Voluntary Action, the University of Derby, Chesterfield Royal Hospital and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, led to the launch of our Barnsley transport service in December 2021.

We also have big plans for expansion in the coming weeks and months, with more information to follow soon.

Emma Clarke, our CEO and who oversaw the launch of our Chesterfield transport along with our Transport Manager, Matt Hadley, said: "We're so thrilled to see and hear the impact which our transport has had since it launched a year ago in Chesterfield.

"We never want transport to prevent anyone accessing the treatment which could change, or even save, their life. That's why our free, safe transport runs each day from St Helena Campus in Chesterfield, and Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley respectively.

"If you or anyone you know could benefit from our free transport, please don't hesitate to get in touch as we are here to support you as we face cancer together - together at every step."