Irlam & Cadishead Volunteer Drivers Scheme have been awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2025. This is the highest award a local voluntary group can receive in the UK and is equivalent to an MBE.
The group was established in 2013 to operate a free transport service for cancer patients living in Irlam, Cadishead, Rixton and Glazebrook to hospitals and treatment centres in Salford and Manchester. The aim was to avoid the need for patients to have to call on relatives and friends for help or to travel on buses, taxis or hospital transport to get to their appointments at a particularly stressful time of their lives.
The scheme operates in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Services, who provide invaluable support and help, Salford Royal Hospital Volunteer Services, who provide training and other support, and Salford City Council Health Improvement Service, who were an integral pat of setting up the service.
Since the scheme has been operating the small team of drivers have covered over 45,000 miles and completed 1,750 journeys ensuring stress free and comfortable journeys for the patients we have carried.
Irlam & Cadishead Volunteer Drivers Scheme is one of 231 local charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.
Roger Lightup, Chair of Irlam & Cadishead Volunteer Drivers, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our group’s work has been recognised. Our drivers have done a fantastic job over the years which has been warmly received by both patients and their carers and relatives who have sent many thank you cards as well as donations towards our running costs. One such message said, ‘I don’t know what I would have done without the team. Thank you for everything’. This really sums up what we are about – being there for people when they need us most”.