Doncaster Free Press Asks Readers To Dig Deep For Charitable Cause
The Doncaster Free Press have just passed a significant milestone in their campaign to raise £25,000 for a very good cause.
Money has indeed been pouring in for the newspaper's ambitious appeal, with the donations in question going towards a new vehicle for local charity; Firefly Cancer Awareness and Support. To date, residents have already contributed a staggering £7,500 to the campaign, putting it at almost a third of the way towards its ultimate goal.
Founded in 2006 by the late Denise Dunn (following her own cancer battle) the Firefly Express provides free transportation to patients and their families across our city, helping them to access regional treatment centres. But delivering such a vital service doesn’t come cheap! After all, while the volunteer drivers certainly work hard, the vehicles work even harder; clocking up thousands of miles year after year.
That’s why the Free Press is asking its readers to dig deep and help raise funds for another seven-seat vehicle to be added to the Firefly fleet.
The charity itself is now in the hands of Denise’s partner Ian Bacchus and friend Paul Taylor, both of whom are determined to keep their vital service going. Speaking about this, Ian, known as Chewy, said: “The Firefly Express vehicles provide free transport to local cancer patients and their families in the borough of Doncaster to regional treatment hospitals, using our fantastic team of volunteer drivers.
"We currently have a fleet of 12 vehicles to cope with the ever-increasing requirements. Firefly help local people in their time of need, making a difficult time a little easier. Firefly is about life – living it to the full, and enjoying every second of it.
"We want to remove the stigma and embarrassment of personal cancer problems in young men and women, giving them the confidence to communicate with friends, family and health professionals should the occasion arise.”
He added: “Using our personal experiences, we are determined to change the journey for cancer patients while raising awareness, particularly amongst young people, to spot the signs before it advances."
Trough Firefly, a huge team of 70 volunteer drivers can carry as many as 80 patients a day – and a dedicated maintenance team make sure the vehicles are kept in tip top shape. Trips from Doncaster head to treatment centres in Sheffield such as Weston Park, The Royal Hallamshire and Northern General – with drivers whisking patients from their doors straight to the hospital, before returning them home afterwards.
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