TODAY marks the start of a new Daily Echo-backed campaign to launch a pioneering new cancer care centre in the heart of Bournemouth.

The Wessex Cancer Trust plans to provide counselling and support services for people recovering from cancer at its new centre based at Fairview House in Hinton Road.

Cait Allen, chief executive of the Wessex Cancer Trust, said: "We are thrilled that the Daily Echo has offered to come on board to support this life changing project.

"Latest figures show that 50 per cent of people will now survive cancer, so we are focusing on life after cancer as well as supporting people during their treatment."

Cait added: "This will be our beacon centre offering a new kind of service, and we hope it will be the first of three new centres across the county to offer child focused activities.

"It will be for people of all ages and children dealing with any type of cancer as well as their families and loved ones who prefer to get support from within the community rather than going back to hospital."

The new centre will offer a range of services including befriending and support groups, counselling, complementary therapies as well as workshops.

Cait explains: "The workshops will be focusing on looking ahead after cancer such as getting back to work and staying healthy. We will also offer an exercise referral programme - 12 weeks at Urban Health and Fitness in Christchurch."

But in order to get this life changing project off the ground, Wessex Cancer Trust has joined forces with the Echo to launch The C Change Appeal.

Around £10,000 is needed to equip the centre and a further £60,000 to help cover the annual running costs.

Cait added: “There are so many different ways that people can help. We also need volunteers to work in the centre and to help us raise money, we also need new furniture such as sofas, easy chairs, coffee tables, office furniture for the manager’s office, laptops and tablets for young people, towels and a dishwasher (patients undergoing cancer treatment are very vulnerable to illness, so it is important we sterilise cups properly). We'd also love a local artist to donate pictures too."

For more information or details on how you can support the project, email clare.lay@wessexcancer.org.uk or call 023 8067 2200.