Welcome to Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care – We transport cancer patients to and from hospital, free of charge.
Watch how the charity began and how schoolchildren from all over the region play a vital role in supporting their local charity.
Who are 'Daft as a Brush'?
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.
Help us reach our 2024 target! Any amount is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
82 year old cancer patient takes on his greatest challenge to raise funds to purchase new cancer patient ambulances.
Newcastle yachtsman, David Scott Cowper, 82, was the first man to sail solo round the world in both directions.
Awarded Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle, Mr Cowper, who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, is now taking on a huge personal challenge; a return voyage through the Northwest Passage - the sea lane between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the Arctic Ocean, while emphasising the services of local charity Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care!
Highlighting the good work and the need for the Daft as a Brush charity, both David and charity boss Brian Burnie are hoping to raise funds for brand-new cancer patient ambulances at the country’s main cancer hubs in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast and London as part of the charity’s goal to expand nationwide.
Can YOU help us rasie £100,000 for 3 new 'Daft as a Brush' Cancer Patient Ambulances?
What an exciting challenge - Click here to discover more!
No smartphone? Just tap / click here to go stright to PayPal, no account is needed!
Donate over the phone by calling 0191 28 55 999 - Please quote 'Polar Bound' when donating.
Polar Bound for Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care!
AJ Bell Great North Run - Support our runners!!!
Support our Great North Runners!!!
Every step they take, every donation that’s made, will bring comfort to cancer patients in need. Your generosity fuels our services, and ensures patients reach their treatment safely and with dignity. Let's work together towards a future where no one faces cancer alone - one mile and one donation at a time. Together we can turn compassion into action and support people on their personal cancer journey!
Support our amazing Great North Runners by helping us reach out goal – Thank you!!!
The AJ Bell Great North Run is the world’s biggest and best half marathon, with 60,000 runners taking on the 13.1-mile route from Newcastle to South Shields each year. It’s famous for its inclusive atmosphere, unbeatable on-route entertainment, and warm Geordie welcome, not to mention the millions raised each year for worthy causes.
Last Night of the Proms concert - Saturday 12th October 2024!
Don't miss out on the The Last Night of the Proms Concert!
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. Join us on Saturday 12th October for a night to remember.
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. Look forward to seeing you in October! Thank you for supporting Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.
Tickets from £15 please call: 0191 28 55 999 with no booking fee, or visit Ticketmaster by clicking here. Fees apply.
River Tyne Trail guide book 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.
Shop undergoing maintenance, open again soon!
Just landed!
Available NOW! “Nostalgic Views of the North” This fabulous book featuring over a century of photographs, views, etchings and engravings of the North – Kindly donated by the author, John A. Moreels M.B.E. Every sale helps the charity. Only £10 including FREE P&P! Limited stocks.
This third collection features views of the North from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, created by the artistic talents of engravers and photographers. It highlights cities, towns and villages throughout the region and includes: Allendale, Alnwick, Bamburgh, Berwick, Blaydon, Brinkburn, Byland Abbey, Bywell Bay, Chillingham, Chollerford, County Durham, Cragside, Cullercoats, Durham City, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Harton, Harton Staithes, Haydon Bridge, Hendon, Hexham, Holy Island, Jesmond, Lambton Castle, Lindisfarne, Marsden, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Shields, Northumberland, Otterburn, Port Clarence, Raby Castle, Rievaulx, Seaburn, South Shields, St. Hilda's, St. Mary's Island, Stockton on Tees, Sunderland, Tynemouth, Wallsend, Wearmouth, Whitburn, Whitley Bay....And People at work and play.
Shop undergoing maintenance, open again soon!
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'
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/
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.)
Shop undergoing maintenance, open again soon!
