Supporters, volunteers and friends of Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends gathered in the garden of a local home this summer to celebrate 20 years of the Primrose Car Service (13 June).
Founded in 2006, the dedicated service provides free, comfortable transport for local cancer patients travelling from Bedfordshire to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for daily radiotherapy.
Over two decades, the initiative has turned a stressful journey into a daily story of community care, completing nearly 100,000 individual trips.
Patient dignity
When the Primrose Unit opened at Bedford Hospital in 2003, feedback about clinical care was overwhelmingly positive.
However, one clear challenge stood out as patients requiring daily radiotherapy had to travel to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, often making 20 or more trips over several weeks.
At the time, patients travelled together on minibuses, which meant long, tiring days waiting for others while dealing with the physical and emotional side effects of treatment.
Recognising that local people needed dignity, flexibility and comfort, former chairman of Bedford Hospitals Charity Brian Woodrow OBE DL and executive committee member Jean Beeden championed a better approach.
They envisioned a service that transported just one or two patients at a time directly between their homes and Addenbrooke’s.
Gordon Beeden, Jean’s husband, recalled how the idea grew out of conversations with local families, “It all came out of the conversations when we were raising money for the Primrose appeal.
“People kept asking if there would be radiotherapy in Bedford because they were aware of the stress involved in going backwards and forwards five days a week. A little group of us thought about how we might respond to that.
“Brian Woodrow had huge energy, Jean was keen to support him, and Ken Williams was the diplomat who brought all the different services together.”
Reflecting on the milestone 20 years later, Gordon added, “I am delighted that it has continued. I think it proves that the original principle was right and that it answered a real need.”
To bring the project to life, the charity partnered with the East of England Ambulance Service, while Vauxhall Motors donated one vehicle and provided three more at discounted prices.
When recruitment began for 30 volunteer driver positions, over 60 local residents offered to help, enabling the first journeys at the end of January 2006.
Former HM lord-lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis, who presented the service with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2014, delivered the main speech at the anniversary gathering.
She noted that the service was built on kindness and individual care, sharing a tribute from a grateful user, “They treated me as a person, not a patient.”
150,000 miles a year
From its earliest days, the service has relied on a close working relationship with the East of England Ambulance Service, which helps manage operational logistics and vehicle safety.
The service currently operates six dedicated vehicles maintained by 37 active volunteer drivers, delivering 3,750 patient journeys every year.
Volunteer drivers cover more than 150,000 miles annually, amounting to over three million miles driven overall across two decades.
Head of operations for patient transport services at the East of England Ambulance Service Luke Squibb highlighted the scale of what the volunteer team has accomplished.
“It’s an amazing partnership between the trust and Primrose Car Service. Looking back over the last 20 years, I think they’ve done almost 100,000 journeys,” he said.
“It’s that additional support with patients that are most vulnerable, and something like Primrose Car Service really, really helps that.
“Within the East of England, there isn’t another service like it. I know some areas have tried to set something up, not as successfully, but Primrose going for 20 years shows how successful the service has been here.
“The volunteer drivers cover more than 150,000 miles every single year to ensure patients reach Addenbrooke’s safely and on time.
“Over 20 years, that adds up to well over three million miles driven across regional roads in all weather conditions, from winter snow to summer traffic jams.
“Without the dedication of these drivers and the charity’s constant support, this vital service simply could not operate as smoothly as it does today.”
Luke explained that the emotional support often matters even more than the stats.
“Having treatment and being able to get to and from a hospital is immensely important, and it’s what makes a difference between struggling through the treatment and living through the treatment as well.
“Something the Primrose Car Service does is take the weight off people’s minds; they’re able to get the treatment they need at the hospital they need while still living their daily life.
“The dedication of all the drivers over the last 20 years has been really commendable. I look forward to the next 20 years working with them,” he added.
Volunteer heart
The afternoon was a heartfelt opportunity to recognise the many hands that keep the Primrose Car Service moving.
Original drivers Dick and Brenda Wilkinson remembered starting out in 2006, with Dick saying, “It’s amazing that it has gone on so long, and what appealed to us was just what a very worthwhile service it was.
“It’s astonishing that it’s kept going, due to the very hard work and dedication of a small number of people.”
Brenda added, “I enjoyed it when I was doing it. I met some happy people, and they were very appreciative of what we did. The journey there and back was fine; they’d chat away. Over the weeks, you got to know them as well.”
Special tributes were paid to Keith Rawlings and Stephanie Wilson, two original drivers who have continued volunteering for two full decades.
Keith shared how his own journey led him to the driving seat, “It started because my wife had to have radiotherapy before the service started, and I used to take her every day in our own car.
“I saw an article in the paper about trying to start this service up, so I went along to the original meeting. I actually got more out of it, being able to help other people.
“Two years ago, I became a patient myself with prostate cancer, so I was a passenger rather than a driver for 20 days.
“It gave me a unique insight into what it is like. Volunteering gets me out one day a week and lets me meet lots of other people. It keeps you going and gives you purpose.”
Behind the scenes, volunteer coordinator Delphi Ellis was celebrated for her care in maintaining safety standards and supporting driver welfare.
Ken Williams and Peter Marks were also praised for guiding the service through NHS reorganisations and keeping vehicles on the road throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chair of Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends Debbie Inskip DL thanked them all.
She said: “A moment to pause and thank every volunteer, donor, and partner who has poured their heart into this vital lifeline.”
And patients continue to highlight the real-world difference made by the team; one said: “The treatment was difficult, but knowing my Primrose driver would arrive every morning took away one of my biggest worries.”
Another patient described the service as, “A lifeline during the most difficult period of my life.”
Community support
Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends is 100% volunteer-led, meaning all trustees and committee members donate their time without receiving a salary or fee.
Because every penny raised goes directly towards purchasing equipment and supporting patient services at Bedford Hospital, the Primrose Car Service relies entirely on charitable donations to buy and maintain its fleet.
Key contributions over the years include Vauxhall Motors donating one vehicle and discounting three more, along with a £75,000 gift from the Panacea Trust toward vehicle costs.
Pavenham Golf Club raised £16,000 through club captains and a volunteer driver, while supporter Mike Walsh completed three demanding long-distance cycle rides to raise substantial funds.
Author Francis Malley also donated book royalties from works written about the car service journeys.
To learn more about supporting Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends, making a donation, or joining the team as a volunteer driver, visit their website.
