Relaunch for Wiltshire charity
9:00am Sunday 12th February 2012 in Latest News
Chief executive Sally Hall and Alison Osborne of Wessex Cancer Trust
Wessex Cancer Trust is relaunching in Wiltshire and looking for new volunteers.
The trust, which has been established for more than 30 years, is based in Southampton and has largely concentrated its work in other areas of the south and south west regions.
But last year, the trust helped more than 50 families in Wiltshire with grants totalling in excess of £7,000 and now is relaunching in the county.
Two drop-in events will be held on Monday; at the Old Bell, Warminster, from noon to 1pm, and at the George Inn, Longbridge Deverill, from 3pm to 4pm.
Visitors will be able to find out more about the charity’s work.
Area manager for Wiltshire Alison Osborne said: “We want to raise our profile in Wiltshire.
“Wessex Cancer Trust is different from other cancer charities, such as Macmillan, because we support people from the time they are diagnosed until they no longer need or want us.
“We have people who went into remission 10 years ago and still use the counselling and support services. But we are not competing with other charities; the service we offer can work alongside them.
“Everyone should know that, if you live in Wiltshire and are affected by cancer in any way, you are entitled to support from us.”
The charity fundraises through events and bucket collections. All the money collected in the county is put to use locally.
Grants are given to families affected by cancer, to help with transport costs for hospital visits and other support. Everyone diagnosed with cancer gets a folder containing information about the disease and details of the support available.
Mrs Osborne said: “The folders are very important and we are trying to raise £5,000 to have a new set produced, with the new logo on them, and we’d be very grateful if someone could sponsor them.”
Mrs Osborne is also asking volunteers to come forward and help with fundraising in Wiltshire.
She said: “We did some bucket collections over Christmas and made more than £2,000, so the people of Wiltshire were very generous.”
To find out about sponsorship or volunteering opportunities with the trust, call 02380 672200.
