The Primrose Car Service has received a £75,000 donation from The Panacea Charitable Trust, helping to continue its vital transport service for local cancer patients.
Run by Bedford Hospital Charity & Friends (BHC&F), the service provides free, volunteer-led transport for patients travelling from Bedfordshire to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for radiotherapy treatment.
The donation has already funded the first of three new hybrid vehicles, with the remaining two set to be added to the fleet over the next two years.
The cars will replace older models and support the service’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions and operating costs, while continuing to offer comfort and reliability to patients.
At a recent handover outside the Macmillan Primrose Clinic, representatives from The Panacea Charitable Trust, BHC&F and volunteer drivers gathered to celebrate the first vehicle – a Toyota Corolla Hybrid – joining the six-strong fleet.
Nick Monsell, from The Panacea Charitable Trust, said: “Having been a major donor towards the Macmillan Primrose Appeal in 2001, The Panacea Charitable Trust is delighted to once again support the work of BHC&F.
“Providing £75,000 to fund three vehicles for the Primrose Car Service is a great way to help those in our community who need transport to Addenbrooke’s for cancer treatment.”
Founded in 2006, the Primrose Car Service is a unique, free, door-to-door service for local patients referred for daily radiotherapy. It runs five days a week and covers around 140,000 miles each year.
The charity relies on its dedicated team of volunteers, including lead coordinator Peter Marks, who said the new vehicles would make a huge difference.
“We are absolutely delighted with the incredible generosity of The Panacea Charitable Trust – their support will secure this unique service well into the next decade.”
Dr Robert Oakley, vice-chairman of BHC&F, added, “Our committee were amazed and incredibly grateful to the Trustees of the Panacea Charitable Trust for their amazing support and generosity.
“There is no better way to celebrate the 20th birthday of our Primrose Car Service, of which we are very proud.”
The service was previously recognised with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and continues to serve as a lifeline for hundreds of local cancer patients every year.
