Cancer patient supported by Firefly charity backs calls for drivers to be allowed in bus lanes
“Allowing Firefly access to bus lanes would help reduce journey times, enable patients to get home more quickly after treatment and potentially allow Firefly to transport more patients each day”
A mum battling cancer has backed calls for a charity to be allowed access to Sheffield’s bus lanes, saying it’s drivers who transport her to and from hospital helped make her ongoing treatment possible.
Sharon Ainley has thanked Firefly for the charity’s ongoing support and explained how vital is has been in her cancer journey - helping to transport her to and from hospital for her treatment, including gruelling chemotherapy.
Liberal Democrats are calling for Firefly vehicles - and those used by Weston Park Cancer Charity for patient transport - to be allowed to access Sheffield’s bus lanes to avoid patients heading for treatment getting caught in the city’s traffic.
“Firefly provides a minibus service specifically supporting people who need to travel for treatment,” Sharon, a 53-year-old mum of one, said.
“However, despite providing such a valuable and essential service, their vehicles are currently unable to use bus lanes. This can mean becoming caught in heavy traffic, particularly during peak times, significantly extending journeys.
“As a Firefly passenger, I often felt extremely unwell following chemotherapy and simply wanted to get home as quickly as possible. Sitting in prolonged traffic when you are already feeling sick, exhausted and physically weak can make an already difficult journey even harder.
“Allowing Firefly access to bus lanes would help reduce journey times, enable patients to get home more quickly after treatment and potentially allow Firefly to transport more patients each day.
“Most importantly, it would recognise that this is not simply a standard minibus service - Firefly provides essential transport for people who are undergoing cancer treatment and who may be at their most vulnerable.
“Giving Firefly access to bus lanes would be a practical change that could make a significant difference to the patients who rely on them every week.”
Firefly has been offering its services for 20 years now, providing countless people access to treatment who may otherwise be held back by travel requirements.
Sharon, who comes from Wickersley, in Rotherham, said that she “immediately went into panic mode” when told that her treatment would be at Weston Park Hospital in the Broomhall area of Sheffield - around 14 miles away from her home.
It would take up to 1 hour and 20 minutes each way to make that journey via public transport, a stress that Firefly has eased.
“Firefly has played an incredibly important role in my cancer journey and, for me, has helped make my ongoing treatment possible,” Sharon added.
“They provided weekly transport to and from Weston Park Hospital for my chemotherapy treatment, taking away the huge worry of how I was going to get to hospital and, most importantly, how I would get home again.
“When I was first told that my treatment would be at Weston Park Hospital, I immediately went into panic mode. I was already dealing with the reality of my cancer diagnosis and treatment, and the thought of having to arrange transport to and from hospital every week felt overwhelming. Then I was told about the wonderful Firefly service.”
As charitable organisations, Firefly and Weston Park Cancer Charity are expected to avoid political matters.
Nevertheless, a Weston Park representative did thank councillors for raising awareness of the services they offer.
A spokesperson added: “At Weston Park Cancer Charity, we know that getting to and from hospital can be a real challenge for people affected by cancer. Our free transport service helps people across Chesterfield, Barnsley and Rotherham travel to Sheffield hospitals for their treatment.
“We’re proud to provide this service for local people, with the support of our wonderful volunteer drivers and supporters.
“Thank you to the councillors for raising awareness of our transport service and for their efforts to improve the experience for people travelling to hospital for cancer treatment.”