The two Wingecarribee Shire services, Southern Highlands Patient Transport Service (bus) and Southern Highlands General and Practical Support (GAPS) program provided vital support for people affected by cancer through reducing transport trips over the 12-month period.

The bus and GAPS programs provided vital support for people affected by cancer through reducing the burden of transport and completed 2227 trips for those in need.

Cancer Council volunteers collectively provided 2712 hours of their own time to assist more than 1000 passengers in the community.

Cancer Council NSW community programs coordinator Megan Mattingly said the services were extremely valuable for the Highlands and provided much needed assistance and relief.

“The results from the last 12 months really showed the difference Cancer Council’s transport services made to the local community,” Ms Mattingly said.

“We were able to provide 89,490.50km’s of free travel to people affected by cancer.

“This is about 12,500km’s more than previous years’.”

However, Ms Mattingly added Cancer Council was in need of more volunteer drivers to assist, particularly with drives to Sydney.

“You can volunteer with Cancer Council’s transport services on a weekly, fortnightly or even monthly basis,” she said.

Highlands resident Norm Mallard said he joined the GAPS service as a volunteer in early 2018 after using the service during his own cancer treatment.

“It started with me having cancer and having to use the GAPs service for about eight months,” Mr Mallard said.

“I took two trips to Concord Hospital and 10 trips to the Cancer Centre at Bowral for Chemo.

“In this time, I found all the drivers helpful and compassionate.”

Mr Mallard said that was what inspired him to become a GAPS driver.

“I wanted and needed to give back what I had received and help those of us who are silently going through cancer, as I was,” he said.

“I have totally enjoyed the driving I have done so far, the talking, sometimes sharing and being able to help those that are going through what I once went through.”

Call Megan on 4223 0205 if you are interested in volunteering and joining the Cancer Council team.

Both services operate free of charge, ensuring accessibility for all, and are maintained through the generosity of the community.

Vital funds raised through events such as Stars of the Highlands and Relay For Life allow Cancer Council to continue to provide such transport services.

Registrations are now open for this year’s Relay For Life to be held at Moss Vale Showground on October 20 and 21.

Register at www.relayforlife.org.au/southernhighlands.