Bonnybridge charity continues to go above and beyond for area's cancer patients

Driving Force never stopped transporting cancer patients to their appointments over the long months of lockdown and now they are stepping up a gear to do even more.
The Driving Force charity, founded by Dr Bridget McCalister MBE above, not only takes cancer patients to appointments it is now transporting people to locations to have their flu vaccinationsThe Driving Force charity, founded by Dr Bridget McCalister MBE above, not only takes cancer patients to appointments it is now transporting people to locations to have their flu vaccinations
The Driving Force charity, founded by Dr Bridget McCalister MBE above, not only takes cancer patients to appointments it is now transporting people to locations to have their flu vaccinations

The charity, which began operating 15 years ago, takes anyone who has cancer – and is registered with a GP in Bonnybridge, Denny or Banknock – to hospital appointments free of charge.

Not only that, in the past Driving Force has also offered other services – including reiki, aromatherapy. mindfulness, podiatry, chiropody and hairdressing – for those receiving radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The service – which has around 35 volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles – has been working operating throughout lockdown, taking cancer patients to their appointments and now they are also taking patients to locations, including Falkirk Town Hall, to allow them to get their flu vaccinations.

Despite COVID-19 restrictions the charity is still able to offer its podiatry, manicures and pedicures visits to homes if people are having difficulty getting out and about.

Dr Bridget McCalister, Driving Force founder, said: “We are taking people who do not have anyone else who can take them to these appointments. We need the word to get out there we are here for people and we need anyone who has cancer in the area to get in touch.

“We also now have people who do relaxation therapies over the phone. They can contact us through their GP.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The free service sees that people are collected from their homes, taken straight to the hospital and brought straight home.

On receiving their appointment people contact their doctor’s reception and leave their name and phone number. Once a day a Driving Force co-ordinator contacts the surgeries and collects everyone’s details, then they phone the patients and find out the appointment times and any special requirements.

The co-ordinator then finds a driver for each journey, and contacts the patient with the driver’s name and phone number. Shortly before the appointment the driver contacts the patient and arranges with them the time they need to be picked up.

This means people know exactly who is taking them to hospital and when they need to be ready. On the day, the driver waits at the hospital and when the appointment is over takes the person straight home.

Visit www.bdthedrivingforce.org.uk for more information.