The efforts of Isle of Wight residents have saved the shuttle service, which takes cancer patients to and from their hotels to Southampton Hospital and which has been dubbed 'so much more' than a bus.
The ‘Daisy Bus’ shuttle service, which takes cancer patients staying at hotels in Southampton - including those from the Channel Islands - to their hospital appointments, was due to cease operating this week.
When that was announced earlier this month, operator Wessex Cancer Support said it was due to the ’external funding being stopped’.
Jersey's Health department confirmed that it was ending its contract with the bus service, saying the £56,000-per-year “was not the best value for money”.
READ: Termination of Daisy Bus contract 'will not impact Jersey patients'
Islanders were told that it would have no impact on patients because taxis would be provided instead. HCS said the cost per passenger journey would be lower by using cabs.
However, patients who have used the bus service said it was ‘invaluable', and found it 'very comforting talking to people who were in the same situation'.
Upon hearing the news, Isle of Wight patients formed the “Save the Daisy Bus” campaign.
Chair Michèle Le Quesne Newton, said the islands need to look after each other:
"We have secured a minibus from a really lovely company in Southampton, and we will continue on the same route that the Daisy Bus went on. We've got them for six weeks.
"I was desperate that we worked island to island, which was very important to me.
Jersey has supported us for many years running this bus, and I think it's really lovely to give things back
"As I said to Deputy Binet on the phone: Your patients are our patients. And I feel passionately about that.
"We've had dozens of emails of outpouring - and it is outpouring - of people saying how that bus is a lifeline, that it's not just transportation, there's camaraderie on there.
"One chap made his best friend on it 27 years ago."
A JustGiving page launched to crowdfund the service has raised over £9,000.
In an announcement on the group page, they said: “Thanks to your incredible support, generous donations, and the amazing help of Dan and Sally at Xelacoach, we’re delighted to announce that the Daisy Bus service will continue without interruption.”
The service is due to restart today (21 August).
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