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

St Helen's Carols by Candlelight Concert

5 Feb 2024

Many, many thanks to everyone who took part in the Carols by Candlelight Concert at Helen's which raised an amazing £ 800 for The Driving Force. The concert was a great success. The photograph shows some of the children from Antonine and Bonnybridge primary schools who took part.

Event: Sainsbury's collection

Many thanks to everyone who donated money at our collection on a snowy day in December. We now know we raised the amazing total to £348.43

Candlelight remembrance donation

1 Feb 2024

Many thanks to Alexander Easton funeral directors and everyone who attended their candlelight remembrance event. The fabulous sum of £150 was raised for the Driving Force.

Event: Collection at Sainsburys Denny

Many thanks to Sainsburys in Denny for letting us collect at their Denny store on Saturday 2nd December. Snow was thick on the ground and it was distinctly chilly but the people were still very generous. We also got to chat to lots of people and tell them all about the services we provide and ask them to tell their friends and anyone they knew who might want to travel with us or use our free hairdressing, nail cutting, manicure or relaxation therapies. Please keep spreading the word that we're here to help and our with local people living with cancer every step of the way.

Event: Relaxation and mindfulness course.

The Driving Force are running a mindfulness course on Mondays from 10.30-12.30 for 6 weeks from 30th October to 4th December inclusive. (on 6th November it will be from 1.30-3.30)

It is for people living with cancer and for their family members. If your relative has cancer but doesn’t wish to attend you can come along without them. It helps people deal with stress, from any cause, and helps you sleep better and feel better in yourself. You don’t need to discuss your own problems unless you wish to.

It will take place at Larbert library and transport from our drivers is available if you need it.

The courses have received very good reviews from the people who have attended them.

"The handouts and CD fantastic. Personally found motivation practice helpful to disengage me from emotionally upsetting places being mindful and fully connected to the present."

"I found the camaraderie of the group helpful in that we are all experiencing similar circumstances."

"Everyone I met/talked to all had one thing in common and that we are all stressed and worried but you can’t change the past but definitely you can the future."

"I would definitely recommend the course to others. Training your mind to think positively and ‘be in the moment’ gives a sense of calm."

If you would like to attend or would like more information leave your name and number with your GP reception and our coordinator will call you back or use the book a drive button on our website www.bdthedrivingforce.org.uk

Relaxation and mindfulness course.

30 Jul 2023

The Driving Force runs local, regular, free mindfulness courses for anyone who has, or has had, cancer and their partners and family members. Transport is provided if necessary. The sessions help people deal with stress, sleep better and make it easier to cope with everything going on in their lives.

Here are a few comments from people who came to the most recent course.

'I found the camaraderie of the group helpful in that we are all experiencing similar circumstances.'

'I was shown how to relax and taking time out for me. The breathing is a powerful tool. The sessions have been invaluable for me and my recovery.'

'I’ve been using it a lot lately and WOW!! You can do this anytime you feel nervous or overwhelmed with life.'

'I would definitely recommend the course to others. Training your mind to think positively and ‘be in the moment’ gives a sense of calm.'

'Everyone I met/talked to all had one thing in common and that we are all stressed and worried. From the course I took away you can’t change the past but definitely you can the future.'

If you are interested in attending our next course please use the contact us button on the website or leave your name and contact details, for The driving Force co-ordinator, with your Bonnybridge or Denny GP reception.

Sad news

9 Apr 2023

We all miss Gill Tonge who died in March after a short illness. Gill was passionately committed to The Driving Force. She volunteered as a co-ordinator and then developed into the organiser of the co-ordinator rota and co-ordinator trainer. She helped improve the way we work and gave the committee lots of support. She was always enthusiastic and smiling and ready to take on extra jobs even when she was very busy at home and work. Gill’s family and friends donated the amazing sum of £550 from her funeral collection and more donations are still coming in; a fantastic tribute to this unique lady. We all wish to give our deeply felt condolences to Gill’s family.

Relaxation and mindfulness course.

18 Feb 2023

The Driving Force are running another of their very successful mindfulness courses. The course is free and is for anyone living with cancer and their family and carers. It will take place at Denny library on Thursday mornings from 20th April-1st June (missing out 11th May) from 10.30 until 12. Our previous courses have been a great help to those to attended. They help to deal with the stress that cancer can cause, improve sleep and make it easier to relax. If you would like more information or to take part please leave your name and phone number with your Bonnybridge or Denny GP receptionist.

Flower of the Forth Lodge of Freegardeners

11 Jan 2023

Many thanks to the Flower of the Forth Lodge of Freegardeners who gave us an amazingly generous donation of £500. The picture shows Bridget McCalister receiving the cheque from one of our drivers, Stewart Jeffray and Brian Wright who are both members of the lodge.

Coffee morning

30 Jul 2022

Many thanks to everyone who organised, helped at, baked for and attended the fantastic coffee morning. Thanks also to St Helen's for once again letting us use their superb facilities and beautiful china.

We raised an incredible £1,400. It was really lovely to see people face to face and chat, and judging by the noise level everyone who came had a good blether. The baking was it's usual incredible standard. Nothing was wasted as the left over baking, tea and coffee etc were all gratefully received by the local foodbank, Roots. We really appreciate all the support we get locally.

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 patients

Volunteers

Everyone involved in The Driving Force is a volunteer. Find out how you can get involved.

Get involved

Scottish Charity Number SC036792