Cancer charity launches fundraiser during 'worrying times'

A CHARITY which supports thousands of people suffering from cancer each year has launched a £50,000 fundraising appeal.

In light of the coronavirus crisis, Wessex Cancer Trust, which supports those in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight, has been forced to temporarily close its centres.

All planned fundraising and events have been postponed or cancelled and the organisation has closed its charity shops for the foreseeable future, putting a strain on finances.

However, it has introduced ways to help its new and existing clients, including a Facebook support group, telephone helplines, live streaming of sound therapy, and online videos, articles and information.

The charity carries out weekly check-in calls for vulnerable clients and offers counselling by telephone and online. There are also plans to introduce a befriender service as well as live streaming coffee mornings.

CEO Cait Allen said: “We exist to support thousands of local people at a time in their lives when they most need it. Now they need us more than ever.

“All of us are adjusting to a new way of living, but cancer doesn’t stop and you may be feeling particularly anxious and isolated if you have it. You might also be worried that your treatment is being delayed or that you’re at a higher risk of infection.

“Because we’ve had to temporarily close our support centres, we’ve been working extremely hard to introduce new ways of helping as many existing and new clients as possible, but as a charity we’re in a vulnerable position.

“Almost all of our planned fundraising and events have been postponed or cancelled, our corporate friends are not at work to support our fundraising and we’ve closed our charity shops. These are worrying times for all of us, but we desperately want to continue to be here for local people during the pandemic and into the future. Please donate if you can.”

As reported in the A&T, last December the charity announced it needed £600,000 to stave off the risk of closure. After donors kindly gave almost £300,000 in two months, the organisation’s chairman Barry Rinaldi said he was confident it had a future.

To donate to the charity visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/StillHereForYou