Cancer sufferers in the Newcastle area will benefit from a free Transport to Treatment service partly funded by QBE’s branch in the city.

The branch raised more than $20,000 through donations, fundraising events and a grant from the QBE Foundation.

Cancer Council volunteers will co-ordinate the service, providing patients free, on-call transport to and from treatment centres.

QBE Foundation Chairman Sally Kincaid says the insurer is “incredibly proud” to support such a valuable community service. “The fact the majority of these funds have been raised by our own team members based here in Newcastle is such a credit to the team,” she said.

QBE Newcastle Project Manager Rikki Hickey says the money was raised over two years.

“The work the Cancer Council does across all aspects of research, support, treatment and prevention is invaluable, so we’re delighted to help it provide this new service for our local community,” she said.

The service will be available from the end of next month.