THE latest addition to Cancer Connects’ fleet  has been launched by Mayor Mary Linehan Foley in Castletownbere.

The new vehicle, a Toyota Hybrid, will make life easier for staff and volunteer drivers as well as the patients who need transport to and from Cork hospitals for treatment.

Mayor Linehan Foley highlighted the positive impact that the bespoke cancer transport service is having throughout the county and acknowledged the additional stress imposed on the residents of Beara who must undertake long journeys to attend treatments in Cork City.

Using volunteer drivers, Cancer Connect  transports patients to Cork hospitals for chemotherapy, radiation and other cancer related appointments.  The service has had a vehicle stationed in Castletownbere since 2018 to serve the needs of local voluntary drivers. The new car was funded with a grant of €10,000 from Cork County Council and matched with local fundraising.

On 30th October, Mayor Mary Linehan Foley formally inaugurated the newest addition to Cancer Connects' fleet in Castletownbere. The voluntary drivers, staff, and Board members were honoured to welcome the Mayor to the community as she undertook the significant role of unveiling the new vehicle, a Toyota Hybrid. In her speech, Mayor Linehan Foley highlighted the positive impact that the bespoke cancer transport service is having throughout the county. She acknowledged the additional stress imposed on the residents of Beara who must undertake long journeys to attend treatments in Cork City. Beara's many volunteers drivers attended along with Helen O Driscoll Manager of Cancer Connect and Neilie O Leary Chairperson of Cancer Connect attended the launch. Joan Kelly, Denis O Shea, Brendan Gonnelly Brendan O Driscoll, Sean Sweeney, Jim Morrissey. Front row, Deirdre Minihane, Donal O Sullivan, Cllr. Finbarr Harrington, Mayor of the County of Cork Mary Linehan Foley, Manager of Cancer Connect Helen O Driscoll, Neilie O Leary Chairperson Cancer Connect Picture: Anne Marie Cronin Photography

Manager of Cancer Connect, Helen O’Driscoll, said the car was upgraded to ensure ongoing comfort and reliability on the lengthy journey to Cork.  ‘It’s a new car, so  as well as being efficient and reliable  it is also more comfortable for patients and that is our priority,’ she said.

‘The journey from the Beara Peninsula to Cork for treatment is a four-hour round trip and passenger comfort is essential. We extend our sincere gratitude to Cork County Council for their support in making this possible. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Macroom Motors for their exemplary customer service, generous support, and competitive pricing on the vehicle.’

Helen said having a dedicated car to use for the service also benefits their volunteer drivers. She explained: ‘Castletownbere and the entire Beara Peninsula has always been very good in supporting Cancer Connect.  It is such a long journey from there to Cork on some quite bad roads, so our volunteers can use our car rather than have constant wear and tear on their own cars.

‘Plus, if a volunteer is using their own car, it means that car is tied up for much of the day, meaning their own family members won’t have access to it.’

Helen noted that since Cancer Connect has had a car based in Castletownbere the numbers of volunteers have increased.  ‘Our volunteers are so important  everyone is so supportive of us but there is something about the Beara drivers, they are really committed to us and we want to make sure the Cancer Connect service stays in the area.’