Local hero Yvonne motors to a BEM
Volunteer drives cancer patients to treatment
She is the sole recipient of an honour from Her Majesty The Queen for her 90th birthday in our area.
That the story of Yvonne Morrison BEM is so fantastic makes it all the more special.
She volunteered to do six weeks of hospital driving for Ayrshire Cancer Support.
That was back in 1982 ... and 34 years on she is still at the wheel!
Yvonne started out in an old Ford Orion and now drives her trusty Volkswagen Passat daily from her home in Maybole.
Over the years she has transported thousands of patients for cancer treatment – chemo and radio – to Glasgow and back.
It is a five- day- a- week voluntary role and in the meantime she has managed to bring up four daughters.
She will receive her gong, the British Empire Medal, later in the year.
Yvonne, now 56, said: “I think it is fantastic, not just for me, but for the organisation and all the patients I have driven over the years. “It is lovely to be appreciated. “I think it is my patients who deserve it, for tolerating the treatment and my lateness.”
Her number plate L8 YVN is a standing joke among passengers as they say it stands for “late Yvonne” as some times she is less than punctual.
She was working at Ayr Gaiety Theatre as a chaperone, aged 22, when she first volunteered as someone she knew was ill.
And she has not considered quitting, averaging three patients a day, every day.
Last year alone she covered 27,756 miles taking patients, including many from Carrick, to The Beatson.
ACS volunteers drove a total of 159,000 miles last year on about 10,000 patients journeys.
Yvonne became a granny to identical twins earlier this year and is also a keen photographer.
She added: “I have made many good friends through my driving and hopefully I brighten their day.
“Many are apprehensive and I just help as much as I can.”
Ayrshire Cancer Support has never been busier making the transport runs, especially when ambulances are not now guaranteed.
Sandra McCall, who runs Ayrshire Cancer Support said: “Everyone is thrilled that all Yvonne’s dedication over the decades has been recognised.
” Yvonne has been driving for us for 34 years, ever since our patient transport service began in 1982, and was nominated for her award by very grateful patients.
“Yvonne goes the ‘ extra mile’ for her patients, often going above and beyond what is required, and we are extremely grateful to have her as one of our volunteer drivers. Last year alone Yvonne covered 27,756 miles taking patients from Ayr.”
Ayrshire always punches below its weight in terms of getting honours.
The only other two in the county this time are from Kilmarnock and Cumbrae.
Grange Academy depute head Margaret Harper and Alastair Chisholm, organist and lay preacher at the Cathedral of the Isles at Millport were also honoured.