ABF Funding provides support to attend vital Cancer Treatment

Over the past two weeks, the Fares4Free Outreach Support Drivers have had the absolute pleasure in supporting Maria, the dependant mother of an Army Veteran that we have been supporting in getting to and from The Beatson Oncology Unit in Glasgow to undertake daily cancer treatment for two weeks straight. 

Maria’s son called us a few weeks ago to ask if there was any help we could offer.  His mum had up and coming vital cancer treatment appointments over a two-week consecutive period.  The appointments were extremely early morning which meant there was no public transport or statutory services available, so attending these appointments were proving extremely difficult to organise. 

Due to the funding, we receive from the Army Benevolent Fund, we were able to support Maria, along with her partner, in attending every single appointment.  We had to split the driving between David Owens, the principal driver on this case who covers Lanarkshire and the Central Belt and John Symes, who covers Glasgow and the surrounding areas. Maria was so grateful to the team for not only getting her to and from her appointments, but for the early rapport building which relaxed her during what was a difficult time and for the flexibility and commitment shown by the team, with the many issues that storms Isha and Jocelyn caused during these difficult two weeks.

The Fares4Free Engagement Support Officer, Colleen McBride stated,

 “It is always so nice to hear the relief in our beneficiaries when we can support requests like these. I am so grateful to the Army Benevolent Fund for funding trips like these and so grateful to our outreach support drivers and volunteers who drive all over Scotland – sometimes very early till very late at night – to not only support our beneficiaries in attending vitally important appointments, but in helping reduce anxiety by safely providing an excellent door to door service. With multiple last-minute changes due to amber weather warnings, my team’s professionalism and dedicated commitment ensured that none of Maria’s appointments were missed.”

If you need support from Fares4Free, please contact us on 0141 266 6000, Monday to Friday, 0900 – 1700.