Volunteer Eddie a real driving force
DECADE OF DEDICATION TO CANCER CHARITY IS RECOGNISED
THIS year marks a decade since Eddie Carson volunteered for a new charity which aimed to transport patients to hospital for cancer treatment.
Mr Carson had good reason to join Newcastle-based Daft as a Brush – he had recovered from cancer surgery and radiotherapy himself.
Now he has become the first Daft as a Brush volunteer to be presented with a 10-year certificate by Brian Burnie, who founded the charity which uses its own fleet of 32 ambulances to provide a free service transporting cancer patients to and from hospital.
It was in 2010 Mr Carson, now 81, experienced the transport issues cancer patients could face on a daily basis.
He said: “I was unable to drive due to the effects of the operation.
“After surgery, I was told I would require radiotherapy.
“I relied on the ambulance service. “I had to be up at 6am ready for around 8am. The service picked up other patients and by the time I had my treatment and waited for the transport home with other patients it was a seven to eight-hour round trip.
“I cannot fault the service, the logistics must be difficult with so many people to move around.”
As Mr Carson received his treatment, Daft as a Brush was putting the first of its now 32 ambulances on the road.
Mr Carson, who lives in Winlaton, said: “I was invited to use the Daft as a Brush service and they made the entire journey only three hours.
“I felt I had finally got my life back. I was thrilled.”
When he received the good news of remission he decided to help other patients on the road to recovery as a volunteer driver.
He said: “I felt closer to patients knowing exactly what they were going through. I think it was comforting for them when they realise the man driving the ambulance is a former patient.
“I know first-hand what the service means for cancer patients.
“I have seen the fleet grow from a single ambulance and volunteers from just a handful to more than 450.
“I am proud to have been part of the charity’s success.”
After eventually stepping down as a driver, Mr Carson took-over the management of the charity’s shop in Eldon Garden in Newcastle and became the charity’s photographer at special events. He also set up the charity’s information desk at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
Brian Burnie said: “Our incredible volunteers, like Eddie, have worked tirelessly to ensure patients continue to receive their cancer treatment throughout the Covid crisis.
“Our service is only made possible by the dedication of our volunteers to help cancer patients all over the North East.
“It is impossible to thank everyone enough for what they have achieved.”