Wessex Cancer Support, a charity which provides free, local and personalised support to anyone affected by cancer, has launched an appeal to raise £150,000 for a new cancer support centre in Boscombe.
In 2024, 700 people accessed support at Wessex Cancer Support’s existing centre in Hinton Road. To enable the charity to help more people, it plans to open a new 1,755 sq ft centre with on-site parking on Christchurch Road in Boscombe this summer. By raising £150,000 to fit out the centre and cover the first year’s running costs, the charity will create a purpose-built community hub from which anyone affected by cancer will be able to access vital therapy, counselling, drop-in sessions and support groups.
The charity is urging people throughout Dorset to get behind the cause by raising money however they can, from making a donation online to fundraising in the local community. Wessex Cancer Support will also host a number of fundraising events throughout the year, starting with its first ever 80s-themed Boogie Bingo event on Friday 28 February at Key West Bar and Grill. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk/event/boogie-2025/.
Rachel Billsberry-Grass, Wessex Cancer Support’s Chief Executive, said:
“Since 2023, demand at our Bournemouth centre has more than doubled and our new centre is essential in enabling us to support more people at a time in their lives when they need it most. We hope the community will come out and support the appeal to help us create a wonderful and much-needed new space.”
Jenny Moore, 51, is being supported through her cancer diagnosis by Wessex Cancer Support’s Bournemouth centre. She says:
“The team has given me the most incredible support. To go from thinking my cancer had gone to being told I had Stage 4 cancer within eight weeks was so very hard to get my head around, but they’ve been there for me with kindness and compassion. The therapies and counselling I’ve had have helped enormously and I don’t know where I’d be without them. Last year, I decided I wanted to do something to give back and embarked on my own fundraising so the charity can continue to be there for others affected by cancer. I’m getting behind their appeal to raise £150,000 with my own fundraising events and would love it if others could do the same!”
For more information on the appeal and to find out how you can get involved, visit https://www.wessexcancer.org.uk/bournemouth-2025/.
Details of the support available can be found at www.wessexcancer.org.uk