‘It’s rewarding work helping those in need’

Volunteers are urgently needed in Westmeath to drive cancer patients to and from chemotherapy treatments, and this week, the Westmeath Examiner spoke to Andrew O’Rourke, a retired sales rep about what is involved and what he gets from volunteering.

Andrew and his wife, Anne live at Lynnderry Court, Ballinderry, Mullingar, and are both volunteer drivers. It was Anne who got Andrew involved and he has now been doing it for almost three years.

Having taken redundancy about six years ago, retiring early from a job he had enjoyed for “30 odd years”, Andrew found he had time on his hands. He enjoys golfing, cycling, walking and meeting up with friends, but he wanted something more meaningful to do too.

He now drives patients to and from appointments, mainly in Dublin and Tullamore, two or three days a month. Andrew explained that the Irish Cancer Society only ask that you commit to two days a month, but he and Anne are happy to do a bit more if needed. “Some days you will get an urgent call to do a drive and my wife and I are happy to oblige,” he said.

Andrew finds that it adds structure to his life. He enjoys being able to help out those that are going through a tough time and “need a leg up to go from A to B”.

When he started volunteering, Andrew had not had any incidents of cancer in his family, but last May 12 months, his sister was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and died the following August. This gave him even greater incentive to volunteer.

Andrew would encourage “anyone with a bit of spare time to help out”. He reckons there are 10 to 15 volunteer drivers operating in the greater Mullingar area, but stresses that the Irish Cancer Society are always looking for volunteers. “They cover your costs, so you won’t be out of pocket, and the work is rewarding, helping those less fortunate when they need it.”

Last year, the volunteer driver service provided 315 journeys for cancer patients in Westmeath and almost 12,000 nationally. There is a need for more drivers everywhere, but particularly in Westmeath, as the pandemic and the expansion of the service has led to a shortage of drivers.

The service helps to ease the strain of travel on cancer patients who often find it difficult to get to hospital because of transportation costs or because they do not feel well enough to drive themselves.

Volunteers need to be available for two full week-days each month, have a roadworthy car, a valid driving licence, insurance and NCT. The service is completely free for patients, and volunteers receive money from the Irish Cancer Society to pay for their fuel costs, road tolls and an allowance for food while waiting for patients.

“Now more than ever in Westmeath, we urgently need to recruit more volunteer drivers so we can continue to provide this incredibly important service to anyone who might need it, so we are encouraging anyone who may meet the requirements to volunteer, to please get in touch with us,” said Donal Buggy, director of services with the Irish Cancer Society pleads.

Another volunteer driver, Paul Markey, was diagnosed with cancer last year. He has now got the all clear and is back driving. “I personally know how important the service is to anyone going through a cancer diagnosis. On the other side, as a volunteer driver it provides you with a great sense of purpose when you are able to be there for people when they need it most,” he says.

• See cancer.ie/volunteer-driver-service or email volunteer@irishcancer.ie.