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 ambulances. All donations received go directly to supporting cancer patients on their journey to recovery with Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care.
Have a question? Check out our FAQ's by clicking here.
Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care Charitable Trust was awarded The Queens Award for Voluntary Services in 2016.
A message from our Founder, Brian Burnie...
Hello! My name is Brian Burnie, Founder & Trustee of Daft as a Brush Cancer Patient Care which transports cancer patients, free of charge, who need to attend hospital on a daily basis to receive their cancer treatment at Freeman Hospital.
In 2010 when I first had the idea of creating the cancer patient transport service, I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought that it would be so successful and it is down to the passion and dedication of some 400 volunteers and staff that we have on board that makes the service a reality.
At present the charity carries out 80,000 cancer patient journeys a year, and it is hoped that in the not too distant future, my dream of providing 1,000,000 will be realised.
80th Anniversary - VJ Day Memorial Walk 2025
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of VJ Day (Victory over Japan Day) on Friday 15 August. This is an opportunity for the region to come together to honour and pay tribute to the Second World War generation from across the UK and Commonwealth, through our Annual VJ Day Memorial Walk.
As Europe celebrated the surrender of German forces on VE Day, thousands of British, Commonwealth and Allied Armed Forces personnel were still involved in bitter fighting in the Far East. The VJ Day Memorial Walk remembers the ‘Forgotten Army’.
The memorial walk will start in Newcastle Civic Centre at 6.00am, Friday 15th August 2025 and travel through Gateshead, South Tyneside, ending at Sunderland honouring Far East PoW’s. At 11am, there will be a special service at SOuth SHields Town Hall and the unveiling of a very special Memorial Statue at 3pm.
AJ Bell Great North Run 2025!
Last few remaining places available for the AJ Bell Great North Run 2025! HURRY!!!!
We’ve managed to acquire a few more places for this year’s Great North Run! If you fancy supporting your local cancer charity, please get in touch ASAP to reserve your place at only £65 each which includes a “Daft as a Brush” goodie bag of fun 😀
To secure your place please email peter.stoten@daftasabrush.org.uk or call: 0191 28 55 999, be quick!
Thank you to all our runners and supporters, together we make a huge difference to people’s lives in the North East going through cancer treatment. 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. Thank you! 🙏
Daft as a Brush Last Night of the Proms 2025!
Following the enormous success of the 2024 event we are delighted to be able to confirm that the Daft as a Brush Last Night of the Proms will return to the O2 Newcastle City Hall on Saturday 11th October 2025.
This spectacular evening celebrates and encapsulates the musical traditions of ‘Last Night of the Proms’, while embracing our own North-Eastern culture and heritage. A fusion of classical and contemporary themes, with timeless classics alongside versions of well-known standards specially arranged for the evening.
We are proud to confirm the musical director, choir master and music arranger will all with us again this year along with our stunning soloists Charlotte and Michael and fantastic compere Ray Spencer!
Tickets from only £15 - Discover more on our Events page, click here!
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.
River Tyne Trail 2nd Edition book available now!
This magical walk passes through a wonderful variety of terrain and scenery leading from close to the Pennines in Cumbria and the Cheviots in Northumberland.
The walk encompasses Northern Europe’s largest man-made lake, vestiges of Roman, early Christian heritage and railway history as well as the regeneration and transformation of one of the world’s most foremost shipbuilding regions.
It entails various river crossings including numerous bridges, a tunnel and even a ferry. The spirit of this wonderful river is captured in two contrasting songs, the beautiful 18th century ballad, “Waters of Tyne”, and the powerful modern, Jimmy Nail song, “Big River”.
Now in stock, the River Tyne Trail 2nd Edition book is only £13.99 from Daft as a Brush Reception, or orders over the phone receive free postage! Call: 0191 28 55 999.
