The Driving Force takes anyone who has cancer and is registered with a GP in Bonnybridge, Denny or Banknock to hospital appointments for FREE.
News and Events
Bonnybridge Christmas light switch on
3 Dec 2025On Sunday, our very own Jude and Bridget had the honour of switching on the Bonnybridge Christmas lights. For those who couldn’t be there, the message captured in the video — and in our hearts — is simple: In January, it will be 20 years since Driving Force made its very first journey. Twenty years of quietly, consistently supporting people in Bonnybridge, Banknock and Denny who are living with cancer — driving them to their appointments with dignity, compassion and care. And yet after all this time some people don’t know we’re here to help Alongside transport, we also offer free hairdressing, nail cutting, and relaxation therapies to individuals and their families. These small moments of care often bring the biggest comfort. We’re not alone in this mission either — wonderful charities across Larbert, Bo’ness, Stenhousemuir and the Braes are doing the same. Together, we form a community of support that no one should ever have to face cancer without. So this Christmas, we ask for just one gift: Tell one person about Driving Force. A neighbour, a friend, a family member — someone who might need us, or someone who might help someone else. If you, or someone you know needs are help reach out to us by phoning your GP practice or via our website Thank you for helping us spread the word by sharing this post Driving Force — 20 years of being there when it matters most.
Festival of trees
3 Dec 2025We have our very own tree in the Falkirk Festival of Trees in the Howgate centre next to Costa coffee. Please go and take a look at it and at all the other trees. A lovely start to Christmas
Event: Dance school amazing donation
The Driving Force was completely amazed to have received a fantastically generous donation of £18,358.85 on 15th November.
Every year Maria and Thomas , and all the wonderful students, from the Maria Oakes School of Dancing support a different charity. For the last twelve months they have been fundraising for The Driving Force. They have organised raffles, a sponsored walk, a karaoke evening and many other events.
The pinnacle of the year was a glittering event on Saturday held at Bonnybridge community centre. The building had been decorated with an amazing balloon arch and a glittering photo area. Tables and chairs were transformed with ribbons, balloons, table decorations etc all in The driving Force colours. We were entertained by dancers from the school and special guest dancers and fed an amazing buffet.
We really appreciate all the hard work they have done this year to fundraise and organise Saturday's celebration and we thank everyone involved from the bottom of our hearts.
Quiz night
13 Oct 2025We just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone that came to our Quiz Night last night thanks to everyone’s generosity we raised an amazing £960!!!This included the winning prize money from the Denny Boys, who won the quiz by 1 point over the Diamond Dogs, thank you all so much, it really is appreciated. Special thanks go to all our amazing fundraisers, volunteers and friends for donating their time and prizes for the raffle, to Bonnybridge Golf Club for hosting us, and to Tony our amazing quiz master.
Event: Sunny sponsored walk
Many thanks to Maria, Thomas and the M and K dance school who organised a sponsored walk today from the Falkirk wheel to the Kelpies and back. They were joined by Bridget, Jude, Bryan and Linda from Driving Force. The fantastic total raised will be well over £3000. The dance school have chosen us as their charity for the year. The grand total raised will be revealed at their dance event in November. We really appreciate their dynamism and support.
Sunny sponsored walk
13 Jul 2025Another picture of the walk, proving we made it to the Kelpies-the Driving Force team and a few of the dance school supporters
St Modan's success
27 Jun 2025INCREDIBLE work by St Modan's High School pupils
Nina, Riley, Michael, Jotham, and Gaby absolutely smashed their Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) presentation and won £3,000 for The Driving Force! Their research uncovered some shocking statistics that highlight exactly why our charity matters:
Did you know?
• 46% of non-driving over-70s miss GP appointments due to lack of transport
• 96% have missed MORE than one appointment
• 68% have missed THREE or more appointments
This is exactly why The Driving Force exists!
Founded in 2005, we provide FREE transport for cancer patients in Bonnybridge, Banknock & Denny to:
Hospital treatment sessions
Medical appointments
Visitor transport to hospitals & hospices
Plus complimentary therapies & treatments
- but it's COMPLETELY FREE for patients.
The students' presentation ended with this powerful message:
Driving Force, helping people live with cancer, one ride at a time"
Thanks to St Modan's £3,000 total donation, we can now launch our publicity campaign to reach MORE people who desperately need our services.
Do you know someone living with cancer who is struggling to get to treatment appointments?
Call your local GP surgery to request a ride Visit bdthedrivingforce.org.uk
Email - co-ordinators@bdthedrivingforce.org.uk
Thank you St Modan's - your students are true champions! We look forward to continuing working with you in the future. #TheDrivingForce #StModansHighSchool #YPIAward #CancerSupport #FreeTransport #CommunityHeroes #MissedAppointments #LocalCharity
St Modan's students win a big grant for The Driving Force
7 Jun 2025We are absolutely delighted that students from St Modan's High School have secured a £3000 grant for The Driving Force through the Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI). Nina, Riley, Michael, Jotham, and Gaby did a fantastic job telling everyone about what we do and their fellow students voted for us. We are going to use the money to spread the word that we provide free volunteer transport to hospital for anyone living with cancer who is registered with a GP in Denny, Banknock and Bonnybridge. We also offer hairdressing, podiatry, manicures and relaxation therapies in peoples’ own homes. All these services are completely free. Please tell you friends and family about The Driving Force; it’s the best way you can help the charity.
20 years today
26 Apr 2025I can't believe it's 20 years today since our very first meeting. Since then we've driven 710,000 miles, provided1,240 therapy sessions and helped over 1670 local people. I'd really like to thank all our volunteers past and present and the many, many local people who have supported us and who are so incredibly generous. We couldn't be more proud of what we have achieved but we can still do more. Please spread the word that we provide free transport to hospital, hairdressing, podiatry, complementary therapies and manicures to anyone who is living with cancer and registered with a Bonnybridge, Denny or Banknock GP. Getting to appointments is incredibly stressful and we're very happy to take people and a family member, or friend, even if they have their own car. There are still lots of local people who don't know about us, so please, please tell everyone you know. We can be contacted by phoning your GP practice and leaving your name and number, or via our website. Thanks again for all your support over the years. Bridget Founder and Secretary of The Driving Force
donation
23 Jan 2025Many thanks to EnQuest Ltd who reward their best performing team with money to donate to their chosen charity. For 2024, the Kraken Asset have chosen to support Driving Force. In 2024 they raised the amazing sum of £5,463. Jim Gardiner one of our fantastic team of volunteer drivers nominated The Driving Force. This is the second time that we have received a very generous donation from EnQuest. All the money will be spent helping local people living with cancer and their families with free transport to hospital and also with therapies in their own homes.
Are you living with cancer?
Anybody with cancer who is registered at either Bonnybridge, Banknock, Denny Cross, or Carronbank Health Centre can use our drivers to take them to and from hospital appointments and treatment sessions for cancer
Information for patientsWe need volunteers
Everyone involved in The Driving Force is a volunteer. Find out how you can get involved.
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