Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group, like many other charities and businesses, have been hit hard financially from COVID-19, however the charity have never stopped during Lockdown. There are so many patients newly diagnosed with cancer and so many patients that need support, whether it’s financially, emotionally or physically. Our Free Patient Transport Service has increased by over 150%, this is for patients needing to get to hospital for Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy, Blood Transfusions and much more, our Volunteer Drivers do an amazing job and they make sure that the patients get to their appointment on time, as well as safely, especially while this virus is around.

The drivers are well equipped with PPE and patients sit in the back, they can also take a loved one with them if they are scared. If you are a cancer patient and need help to get to any of the North East hospitals, please contact our Patient Transport Manager Joan on 07730 471487, or if you have a few spare few hours and would like to help drive our patients to hospital please call Allison on 07762 258696.

On Saturday 12th September the group are doing their annual Pop Up Charity Shop in the Newton Aycliffe Community Shop, due to COVID-19 we will be following the current guidelines including Social Distancing.

This time we will only be selling refreshments to takeaway, so there still will be lovely Homemade Cakes they will just be sealed up.

Lots of other items including Clothing will be available, but due to what’s happening we won’t be able to take any donations of clothing etc from you. We will open at 9.30am and close at 3pm, the number of customers at one time inside the shop will be kept to a minimum to protect the volunteers and also the customers. Tombola will still take place with great prizes and hand gel will be scattered around the shop, all we ask is that you wash your hands prior to entering the shop, wear your Face Masks, unless exempt, and finally keep 2m away from the next person.

The Charity have been busy for months making Face Masks so they will have a selection in the shop, all they ask is for a donation, Halloween ones will also be available.