Berwick and District Cancer Support Group won the Pride of Northumberland Community Group award for going the extra mile for patients to make sure their treatment is as easy as possible.

The group, based in the town, provides free transport for people to and from hospitals in Newcastle, the Borders and Edinburgh.

The group was set up in 1992 by a set of people who knew how difficult it was to get to and from major hospitals that were 60 miles away.
On receiving the award one of the volunteers, Julie Taylor, said: "It is fantastic, it's wonderful. It is a great honour to be given this, it proves that we are doing what we set out to do - help people with cancer."

Coun Jeff Reid, leader of Northumberland County Council which sponsored the award, said: "I am very pleased that this group has won. It was a very difficult choice and there were some really fine people who could have won it.

"But the care you have shown is above and beyond the call of duty."
Nominating the group for the award was Rosemary Ferguson, who used the service to get to appointments.

She said: "They were my lifeline when I was going through treatment for breast cancer. Instead of my husband taking time off work, this group was there to take me to all my appointments and my radiotherapy which was five days a week for four weeks.

"The two gentlemen drivers, Dave and Davie, couldn't do enough for me, knew exactly where to take me all the time in the waiting room and were there for me when I came out. They and a few other volunteers work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep two cars on the road, very comfortable cars I might add.
"They are my unsung heroes."

Also shortlisted were:
Friends of Ponteland Park, a group of people who tirelessly strive to the quality of Ponteland Park for wildlife and as an amenity for the whole village.

Cowpen Quay Community Association, a group of volunteers who oversee the running of the Buffalo Community Centre based in Blyth which sits in the most deprived ward of the area.