About Us
For over 30 years, our team of volunteers have proudly assisted those battling cancer in the Berwick & District community.
Read more about us below, from our 1992 origins to our exciting plans and developments for the future.
"This organisation ensures safety, dignity and confidentiality, supporting the wellbeing of hundreds of clients and their families whilst sharing the client's journey."
Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland
1992, The Very Beginning
The Berwick and District Cancer Support Group, commonly known as Berwick Cancer Cars, was founded in 1992 by two women from Spittal, Violet Carter and Kathleen Horsburgh, who were having difficulty accessing their cancer treatment in hospitals over 60 miles away. With exceptional organisation the group grew rapidly and received charitable status in 1994. From having one car the charity now has six and has grown to be one of the finest examples of a community-based charity in the country.
Over the years the need for the charity has not diminished and as we have grown so has the call on our resources. The charity is entirely run by volunteers and is funded by the efforts of the local community. This is very much a community charity supported in many ways in the borough by all ages.
The Road Ahead
In June 2022 we were honoured with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary organisations. An accolade that celebrates the exceptional work the charity has achieved in our community through the combined efforts of our volunteers and fantastic supporters.
Future plans include the further development of our new home in Tweed Street. Our charity aims to offer a more holistic service for our clients. There are no purpose built facilities locally for cancer sufferers and since Covid-19 many have felt increasingly lonely and isolated. The future facility will provide a safe environment where we will be able to have complimentary therapies, advice and counselling hubs and self-run groups, all of which are available in the large cities of Newcastle and Edinburgh but not readily accessible to the Berwick & District communities.