A LOCAL charity is launching a special £2.1 million Silver Jubilee appeal this weekend in a bid to provide support and friendship to even more individuals and families affected by cancer, reports Lizzie Anderson.

For the last 25 years, CancerCare has provided therapy, advice and support to local people, but in order to cope with increasing demand, the charity needs to expand its over-stretched therapy, daycare and administration facilities in Kendal and Lancaster.

To support the charity in its quest, The Westmorland Gazette is launching a campaign called CancerCare's Silver Plea to help with the fund-raising efforts.

Money raised by readers of the Gazette will go directly to the CancerCare appeal and will allow the charity to expand its two main centres, the Lakes Centre on Blackhall Road in Kendal and Slynedales on Slyne Road in Lancaster.

These funds will be vital to ensuring that CancerCare can cope with the growing pressure on space at both premises and allow it to prepare for a future in which demand is expected to grow between 30 and 50 per cent in the next 25 years.

If the appeal is successful, the Lakes Centre will benefit from a rooftop extension, which will house a dedicated children and young persons unit.

The extension will also free up space in the existing building, which will be redeveloped to create a more pleasant environment.

Lakes Centre manager Iona Price said: "It will just be fantastic. It will mean we can accommodate more clients. It is something that we have been working towards for a long time. The whole work environment will be a lot more professional."

Similarly, at the Slynedales Centre a new arts and crafts centre and courtyard will be built.

Set up in 1983, CancerCare has become the biggest organisation of its kind in the UK, but it remains very much a local charity dedicated to and funded by local people in South Lakeland and north Lancashire.

Peter Hearne, general manager of CancerCare, said: "We are quite rightly very proud of our work and the fact that CancerCare remains the only provider of face-to-face and professional supportive care for everybody living in this part of the country. We provide that service free to anybody who seeks our help."

Aware that a cancer diagnosis is more than just a physical issue affecting the person concerned, at its centres in Kendal and Lancaster, CancerCare has created a welcoming environment, where patients and their families can not only gain support and information, but can address emotional and spiritual issues, socialise and relax with a cup of tea.

Counselling, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and massage are just some of the many therapies provided by qualified therapists, who help around 1,500 local people every year.

Social and creative activities are also offered to clients at the centres, including art and crafts and woodwork, as well as friendship groups for children and adults.

All of these services are free and are available to all those affected by cancer, whether they are suffering from the disease themselves, are a carer or relative or have been bereaved.

Malcolm Tyson, of Ambleside, who regularly attends the Prostate Cancer Support Group at Sylnedales and is a member of the Ambleside CancerCare Support Group, said: "It is absolutely fantastic. There are no two ways about it. It is a wonderful organisation."

Commenting on the charity's Silver Jubilee Appeal Mr Tyson, 78, added: "I am all for it and I think the more people that know about it the better."

The challenge is made greater by the fact that the money raised through established CancerCare events, such as the Star Walk in May, and the CancerCare Lottery, will be put towards the additional £1 million needed to cover the charity's annual running costs.

This Sunday (April 20), the appeal will be officially launched at the Silver Jubilee Garden Party at Leck Hall, near Kirkby Lonsdale.

The party, which will include archery, a magician, a classic car rally and much more, will take place between 11am and 4pm and tickets costs £2.50, with free entry to under 16s.

Although events will be held throughout the year, the charity is also launching an ongoing campaign to encourage local people to raise £100 in whatever way they choose and become a CancerCare Local Hero.

The Westmorland Gazette's CancerCare Silver Plea campaign, which urges people to put aside their loose silver coins for the charity, is one way for local people to get involved.

If you would like to contribute to the CancerCare Silver Jubilee Appeal, donations can be made online at www.cancercare.org.uk and a web page dedicated to appeal donations will be set up shortly.

Alternatively send a cheque made payable to CancerCare to the CancerCare Silver Jubilee Appeal at either Slynedales, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6ST or the Lakes Centre, Blackhall Road, Kendal, LA9 4BT.

Donations can also be made by direct debit and forms can be downloaded on the website.

For more information about the charity and the appeal please call 01524-381820 or email jubilee.appeal@cancercare.org.uk.