Weston Park Cancer Charity has launched a new transport service which provides people living with cancer in Barnsley with free travel to and from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals for treatment.
The new service will start from Monday 6 December, and provides free, safe travel from Oakwell Stadium for people undergoing cancer treatment.
It aims to alleviate the transport cost burden – which can amount to hundreds of pounds per week – for people living with cancer in Barnsley who need to travel to Sheffield for treatment. At times, travel worries can be the difference between people accepting and declining treatment.
Journeys will operate twice daily at 9am and 1.30pm and bookings can be made via Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Helpline – 0114 553 3330 (Option Two) – or by emailing transport@wpcancercharity.org.uk.
The new service is being operated by Weston Park Cancer Charity and is supported by Barnsley Football Club, Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw ICS Cancer Alliance.
Legendary cricket umpire, Dickie Bird, has also provided significant sponsorship of Weston Park Cancer Charity’s new transport service. Dickie was on hand, alongside Bobby Hassell – former Barnsley FC player, current academy manager and Weston Park Cancer Charity ambassador – to officially launch the service at Oakwell stadium.
The Barnsley transport service will be operated by a team of volunteer drivers, who will generously give up their time to ensure that people in need of cancer treatment in the Barnsley area can access it at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.
Rigorous safety measures have been put in place to keep passengers and volunteers safe at all times, including twice weekly Covid-19 testing for all drivers and thorough cleaning of all vehicles before every journey.
Weston Park Cancer Charity’s Barnsley transport service will add to its successful Chesterfield transport service, which launched earlier this year and has been hailed as ‘fantastic’ for people going through cancer treatment.
Emma Clarke, chief executive at Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We don’t want anyone to ever have to face the decision to decline treatment because travel to and from their appointments is the barrier.
“A cancer diagnosis is a very difficult thing for anyone to hear. Imagine that the recommended treatment is miles away from your home and you have no ability to make that journey.
“This is why we are expanding our transport service to Barnsley and the surrounding areas. We’re extremely grateful for our incredible team of volunteers and to everybody who has supported the launch of this priceless new service.”
Jean Cryne – shareholder at Barnsley Football Club and widow of former Reds owner Patrick Cryne, who passed away from cancer in 2018 – also contributed a significant figure towards the service’s launch.
Jean said: “Weston Park Cancer Charity are an integral organisation to our region. Year after year, they touch the lives of cancer patients and the service provided to all ages is incredible.
“My family experienced this care and compassion first-hand, and I am humbled that we are in a position to sponsor this service and give something back that will benefit so many.
“Travelling and public transport can be a significant stress to those who must undertake the journey to Sheffield. Making Weston Park accessible to those that require treatment, without any cost, is so important.
“Together with the Football Club, the people of Barnsley meant a great deal to Patrick – the two fit hand-in-hand. He would be immensely proud that this free service, based at Oakwell, will aid thousands of Barnsley-based cancer patients across the coming years.”
For more information on the Barnsley transport service, call Weston Park Cancer Charity’s helpline on 0114 553 3330 (Option Two) or email transport@wpcancercharity.org.uk.
