Charity pleads for cash to save cancer patient food scheme

A CHARITY scheme that provides healthy meals for cancer patients and their families is appealing for help after running “desperately” short of cash.

The Nourish project was launched in 2016 by Força, a Lymington-based charity that supports people with cancer. It was the brainchild of a group of mums after their friend, Carla Whitbread, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

But their flagship Nourish food initiative, which is run in conjunction with Oakhaven Hospice, is now running badly short of funds.

The service aids people at Lymington New Forest Hospital and day centre users at Oakhaven Hospice who can take away two free frozen meals per week.

Recently the operation has doubled to help around 80 people with over 400 meals per month.

But despite fundraising efforts, it is at risk of folding without further support and the charity has appealed to the New Forest community to dig deep.

Forca chair Frauke Taylor said: “Can you or your business help fund nutritious meals for local people receiving chemotherapy in the local community?

“Força has to date raised over £36,000 for the Nourish project. However, with growing demand, the project is getting desperately short of funds.

“In order to sustain this project, the charity is appealing for your urgent help with a one off or regular donation. We are also looking for local businesses to consider becoming a Nourish sponsor.”

The charity said the responses of patients and careworkers have highlighted the appreciation of not having to worry about cooking every night as they face the stress of cancer treatment.

To make a donation go online to cafdonate.cafonline.org/11273#/DonationDetails, send a cheque payable to “Força - strength against cancer” to PO Box 435, Lymington, SO41 1EL, or email forçaagainstcancer@gmail.com.