Funds raised during last year's i98FM Illawarra Convoy will be used to keep a vital volunteer service on the road.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The Illawarra Community Foundation on Thursday handed over $54,000 to the Illawarra Cancer Carers for their patient transport service.
The service, which operates from Helensburgh to Albion Park, transports around 190 cancer patients to and from treatment and medical appointments each month.
Illawarra Cancer Carers president Geoff Failes said public transport was often not an option for these patients, due to compromised immune systems after chemotherapy.
"For over 30 years this service been provided, via a referral from the hospital to our volunteer driving co-ordinators," Mr Failes said.
"A driver gets allocated to provide the service to the patient, collects the patient contribution, undertake the journey, and logs their mileage.
"Patients are requested to pay a small nominal fee for the service usually of a few dollars, but this patient contribution does not cover the entire reimbursement of the drivers.
"Volunteer drivers use their own vehicles to transport cancer patients in the Illawarra and are reimbursed for their personal vehicle use."
The $54,000 annual cost of delivering the program has until now been provided via fundraising, and individual donors such as long-term Convoy supporter Alan Doherty of Doherty Transport.
"The Illawarra Cancer Carers do tremendous work within the community for cancer patients, and local hospitals," Convoy founder Marty Haynes said.
"This patient transport program is vital for so many patients across the Illawarra and we are proud to carry on Al Doherty's legacy by supporting this program with a $54,000 donation."
For more information visit www.illawarraconvoy.com.au
