Bowling club helps with Shirley Shuttle
Woy Woy Women's Bowling Club has donated $1250 towards the Shirley Shuttle transport project to assist local cancer patients travelling to their oncology treatments.
Project fundraiser Ms Barb Galvin said the donation would see the establishment of a second shuttle bus for cancer patients.
Named in memory of Ms Galvin's late mother Shirley, the first Shirley Shuttle Bus operates five days a week.
Ms Galvin said in its first year of operation, the Shirley Shuttle has transported 81 individual clients more than 30,000 km on 1652 individual trips.
"During March last year we reported the launch of the Shirley Shuttle mini bus for the transport of Gosford cancer patients to oncology treatment centres at Gosford and Woy Woy," Ms Galvin said.
"A recent study completed by the Central Coast Cancer Transport Action Group revealed that at least two station wagons would be required to extend the present service to Wyong residents, and to further extend the service to all Central Coast public radiotherapy patients requiring transport to Newcastle and Sydney.
"We now have sufficient funds to purchase Shirley Two and are well on the way to getting 'Shirley Three'.
"Our ongoing challenge will be to sustain the shuttle service at a cost of about $15,000 per vehicle per year, and to manage changeover costs."
Woy Woy Women's Bowling Club president Ms Miriam Cotton said the club was more than pleased with helping out the local transport project.
"It is amazing how the vision and generosity of one person can capture hearts within the community to adopt such a wonderful cause," Ms Cotton said.
"We applaud Barb's work in making this project a success for local cancer patients and their families."
For transport training, bookings and donation inquiries, contact 4323 4028.
Press release, 27 Aug 2009
Barb Galvin, Cancer Council NSW