Celebrating three years of our free transport service

Our free transport service, which picks patients up from various locations across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire, has been running for three years this month.

The service ensures people can get to hospital appointments and receive vital cancer treatment without the worry and stress of traffic, parking, and travel costs.

Driven by a team of volunteers, the buses provide a friendly and comfortable environment for patients to not only get to their appointments but also meet others who are going through similar journeys.

Find out more about our pick-up points and how to book a seat on the transport service here.

Three years of transporting cancer patients to their appointments...

• April 2021 – Transport service launched in Chesterfield with our first patient’s journey
• October 2021 – Transport Hub re-opened
• December 2021 – Barnsley service launched
• August 2022 – Rotherham service launched
• May 2023 – Meadowhall service launched

Since its launch, our free bus service has made over 2,315 journeys, and our fantastic volunteer drivers have accumulated 8,100+ volunteered hours!

Introducing Kane – our Patient Transport and Support Officer

Kane joined Weston Park Cancer Charity in January, heading up the transport service and operating from the Charity Hub located at Weston Park Cancer Centre.

“We’re absolutely delighted to be celebrating three years on the road for our free transport service. The buses make an incredible difference, and we regularly receive outstanding feedback from people about their experience.

“Using our service enables people to get directly to the hospital without the worry of parking, traffic, and the cost of travel. We understand that our patients are going through extremely hard times in their lives, so if we can do anything to help ease the process of getting to the hospital, we will do it.

“I would also like to thank our wonderful team of volunteers who go above and beyond for our patients and help create a positive environment for them and their loved ones.

“It is thanks to our supporters, fundraisers, and corporate sponsors which enable us keep the service operating for our patients.

“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the success of our free transport service over the past three years, and we look forward to continuing with more bus stops to come in the near future.”

A message from Nurse Director, Ali Mortimer

We recently caught up with Ali Mortimer, Nurse Director of Specialised Cancer Services at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, who is keen to encourage patients to make the most of the transport service.

“Weston Park Cancer Charity provides an absolutely fantastic service of transport for patients to be able to come to Weston Park Hospital. We're so lucky to have that for patients.

“I would encourage all patients and their family members to use the Weston Park Cancer Charity transport.

“It takes the stress out of coming to Weston Park, so make the most of the transport offer that we have available and take up that opportunity.”

Follow the anniversary celebrations, throughout April, as we profile some of our incredible volunteer drivers and our patients’ experiences of the transport service.

More information about the transport service can be found here.