By Isle of Wight Observer
A former cancer patient has raised almost £5,500 for the Daisy Ring Bus (DRB), after completing a dramatic abseil down Portsmouth’s 560‑foot Spinnaker Tower. With donations still coming in, the total is expected to rise further.
The Daisy Ring Bus provides free transport for Island cancer patients travelling from mainland ports to Southampton and Portsmouth hospitals, ensuring they can reach vital treatment without the stress or cost of using public transport. The service, run by volunteers, operates two minibuses and relies entirely on fund-raising and community support.
Andrew Wallis, who used the Daisy Ring Bus during his own treatment at Portsmouth hospital, said he wanted to give something back to the service that had helped him through a difficult time, raising £5,474. His wife, Jane, has supported the fund-raising effort, through raffles, quiz nights, and other events, though she admitted she had no intention of joining him on the Spinnaker Tower descent, saying she was “not brave enough for that particular challenge”.
Rex Goldsmith, from the Daisy Ring Bus Community Interest Company, said the money raised would make a significant difference.
“This will pay for diesel for both buses for approximately six months, and will be a tremendous help with our forever‑increasing costs,” he said.