Welcome to Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care – We transport cancer patients to and from hospital, free of charge.

Dr Ali Zaatar has been a Daft as a Brush volunteer for over 10 years. Discover what it’s like to help cancer patients on their journey to recovery.
Can you give something back? Volunteers required in all areas of the North East.

Who are 'Daft as a Brush'?

Guest of honour Mr Len Gibson

The charity, Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care, specialise in transporting cancer patients to and from hospital for their Chemotherapy and / or Radiotherapy treatment, free of charge.

The service involves collecting and transporting patients in a safe and comfortable environment from where they are living to where they will be having their treatment. If required, a volunteer companion will stay with the patient during their Chemotherapy and / or Radiotherapy.

The patient is returned to their home in readiness for their next course of treatment. The charity completes thousands of cancer patient journeys each year with a passionate team of hundreds of volunteers and a large fleet of of ambulances. All donations received go directly to supporting cancer patients on their journey to recovery with Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.


Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Charitable Trust was awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2016.

Help us to support cancer patients on their journey to recovery.

Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care is a free service for Cancer Patients and is totally funded by donations and the hard work done by our amazing volunteers.

Only with the support of people like you can we continue caring for people living with cancer across the region. Donations can be made by on-line from our 'Donate' link quickly and easily, or by post to our office in Gosforth, or by personal visit to Reception.

From all of our volunteers and staff, thank you.

16.11%

Help us reach our 2024 target! Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

AJ Bell Great North Run 2024!!!

Are you ready to make a difference?

Take just one step at a time, and support 1000’s of people on their cancer journey. Join the Daft as a Brush team at the iconic Great North Run, and be a part of something truly extraordinary!

Guaranteed Entry: Secure your spot in the Great North Run today, Exclusive Gear: Get your hands on stylish Daft as a Brush race gear and merch.
 Join a Caring Community: Be part of a supportive and passionate team, running to support local people 
– Help Cancer Patients: Your participation directly supports patients on their cancer journey. You’ll also receive lots of event advice and information, support to set up your fundraising page, and regular email updates to keep you on track.

SPONSORSHIP TARGET £300
For enquiries, please email gnr@daftasabrush.org.uk

Grab your place from the Shop!

Great North Run

The Great North Proms concert!

Great North Proms

The Great North Proms!

A spectacular evening celebrating the musical traditions of ‘Last Night of the Proms’, while embracing Northern culture and heritage.  A fusion of classical and contemporary themes, guests will be taken on a musical journey which resonates with audiences of all ages.

This unmissable experience promises an evening of unity, musical mastery, and philanthropy – all profits from the event will provide free cancer patient transport across the region. Turn an evening out into a night to remember!

Tickets please call: 0191 28 55 99 with no booking fee, or visit Ticketmaster by clicking here. booking fee applies.

River Tyne Trail guide book 2nd edition!

RIver Tyne Trail 2nd Edition

Hurry! Now in stock!

River Tyne Trail, 2nd Edition. The trail traces the length of one of Britain’s greatest rivers, the Tyne. The walk covers both sources, the North and South Tynes, which are marked by giant stone monuments.

From tiny springs to streams and then vibrant rivers, the two sources eventually converge to create the powerful River Tyne as it journeys to the sea. The nature of the undulating terrain makes for a challenging and rewarding experience as the trail passes through some of Britain’s most beautiful and interesting scenery.

Every sale of this book helps the charity ‘Daft as a Brush’ provide free transport, to and from hospital, to thousands of patients going thought Chemotherapy and / or Radiotherapy treatment throughout the northeast of England.

Visit our shop by clicking here.

Your new 3 bedroom home on 4 wheels!

The ultimate mobile home!

After an epic 2 year 7,000 mile journey around the coastline of Great Britain and Ireland to highlight free cancer patient transport, nationwide there is now a unique opportunity to purchase a custom-made, mobile home complete with all furnishings, white goods, fully fitted kitchen, micro office, water / waste tanks and diesel generator. This Double Decker Bus converted to a mobile home by Thornton’s of Ashington. Viewings, more information please call: 0191 28 55 999

- Hand crafted 3 bedrooms, 2 single and 1 double
- A toilet room and separate shower room, both with sinks
- Dining area for 8 people
- Fully fitted kitchen with LED lighting, fridge / freezer
- Samsung washing machine, Bosch convection hob and oven etc
- Open plan foot ware / outdoor clothing storage
- TV Snug area / micro office with two armchairs
- Complete with fitted, custom-made blinds for all windows
- Upstairs wash station plus mirror
- Bespoke wardrobes with fixings, soft furnishings etc.
- Includes fixtures, fittings, white goods, heaters, crockery, etc.
- Two televisions plus satellite dish on roof
- Wi-Fi printer and storage for toner / files / stationery, etc.

Statue to remember the 'Forgotten Army'

Len Gibson statue

Support the Statue for all Far East Prisoners of War

To commemorate ALL FAR EAST PRISONERS OF WORLD WAR II, Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care founder, Mr Brian Burnie, is campaigning to create a statue of Len Gibson; Sunderland hero who endured years of brutal treatment on the Burma ‘Death’ Railway. The late Mr Len Gibson, BEM and Brian Burnie go back over twenty years when Brian was living at Doxford Hall, Northumberland and where he arranged for the 'largest fish and chip luncheon' for veterans.

Sign the petition by clicking here

Tune in to Daft as a Brush on Radio Tyneside!

Listen out for the Daft as a Brush show on Radio Tyneside!

A collection of our volunteers and patient's favourite songs will be played between 8:30am - 9:00am every Sunday!
Tune in at 93.6FM, or click this link https://www.radiotyneside.co.uk/

Radio Tyneside
Radio Tyneside

Transporting Cancer Patients is better for the individual and the hospital

We’ve been speaking to Dame Jackie Daniel, Chief Executive of the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Professor Sir John Burn, Chairman, Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Both agree transporting cancer patients to hospital is a real challenge for families, friends and the NHS. If patients are not in the right place at the right time, this can compromise the treatment system. Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care takes that stress away with a dedicated transport service. Click here to watch the interviews on our Real Life Stories page.

There's so much more to explore...

Daft as a Brush River Tyne Trail - From Source to Sea

Discover amazing trails from the scouces of the River Tyne.

The trail traces the length of one of Britain’s greatest rivers, the Tyne. The 130 mile walk covers both sources, the North and South Tynes, which are marked by giant stone monuments.

The stone at the North Tyne, near the England-Scotland border, was erected in October 2013 specially to mark the beginning of the trail. From tiny springs to streams and then vibrant rivers, the two sources eventually converge to create the powerful River Tyne as it journeys to the sea. The nature of the undulating terrain makes for a challenging and rewarding experience as the trail passes through some of Britain's most beautiful and interesting scenery.

Find out more and buy the Walking Guide by clicking here.

A Wearside Lad in World War II - By Len Gibson (B.E.M)

The extraordinary story of Len Gibson’s life as a prisoner of war in the Far East - Now only £8.99 FREE P&P!

‘Len Gibson: A Wearside Lad in World War II’ looks back on Len’s remarkable life as a Japanese prisoner of war, where he endured three and a half years of forced labour, near-starvation, disease and brutality.

Len has influenced and supported many people including music-royalty Dave Stewart co-founder of the ‘Euthymics’ and professional footballer Keith Adams who played for Sunderland and Australian Nationals. Currently living in Melbourne, Keith was an ex-pupil of Len’s at his former school where he was Deputy Head, Hasting Hill Primary School.

Cheques are accepted via post to Daft as a Brush House, Gosforth, Newcastle, NE3 2DR. Purchase on-line via the link below. Please mark any letters ‘Len Gibson Book’ and include your return address details. Or, call in to see us! Our Reception is open from 9am-5pm Monday to Friday for card and cash payments.

(Books dispatch by post, allow 2-3 days, an extra day or two over public holidays.)

Buy Len's book from our on-line shop by Clicking Here.

A Wearside Lad in WWII by Mr Len Gibson