#Home4Cancer Ayrshire Cancer Support

Ayrshire Cancer Support are launching an appeal to help raise £750,000 to replace their current centre in Wellington Square, Ayr.  As demands grows for free cancer related services, the current building is no longer fit for purpose.   

The centre is used by patients throughout South Ayrshire and parts of East Ayrshire undergoing treatment for cancer, and offers a range of life saving and palliative support services – all completely free. These include mental health support, complementary therapies and free transport to hospital treatment – very often in Glasgow.  A wide range of support services are also provided to the families and carers of those affected by cancer, including carers support groups, counselling, complementary therapies and bereavement support. The therapeutic team who work directly at Ayr Hospital in the oncology wards also work out of the Ayr Centre.   

Sandra McCall CEO said, ‘We are literally a lifeline to many Ayrshire people who have been diagnosed with cancer or are dealing with the effects of a cancer diagnosis on someone they care for.  We are the only charity that operates across the whole of  Ayrshire that provides transport to hospital treatment for someone with a diagnosis.  Without this service many people would not be able to travel to hospital – usually in Glasgow, and would not get access to treatment that saves or prolongs their lives.  We undertake around 15,000 journeys every year. People mistakenly believe the ambulance transport service would transport patients to hospital – but this is not usually the case.  Similarly, there is no other charity that provides face to face confidential counselling with fully trained counsellors – the NHS currently have a waiting list of over 18 months to access this service.  We can ensure people who are struggling to cope with a diagnosis, or are recently bereaved, get the care they need.  Our therapists also offer relief from cancer symptoms and its treatment through complementary therapies.  We work very closely with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and provide services in Ayr Hospital oncology wards.  Despite trying, we receive no Government or NHS funding to run our centres – so it’s up to us to continue to raise the funds to ensure the people of South Ayrshire and the surrounding area with cancer have the best possible opportunity of a positive outcome.’

 

In a review of their facilities, Ayrshire Cancer Support deemed the current centre as having inadequate wheelchair access, poor linkage between the support group and therapy rooms which are separated by a public lobby and as the building is sometimes unattended, poses a security risk.  Although Ayr centre continues to offer first class therapeutic services, the therapy rooms themselves are in need of upgrading and in their current condition do not provide the most appropriate surroundings for people who are affected by cancer.  On street parking has become more difficult for many of the centre’s service users.  Having experienced a recent break in, where damage was caused, the police security liaison team advised of several modifications which would be costly for the charity to implement.

 

Sandra McCall, continued, ‘It has been three years now since we created our new space in Kilmarnock, which boasts a drop in centre, counselling and therapy rooms and our transport hub.  Circumstances have dictated that we either close our operations in Ayr or look to find funding to create a beautiful new home which is  as welcoming as our new Kilmarnock centre.   I’m sure our presence would sorely be missed but I am confident the public will get behind us and help to organise fundraising events to help make our dream a reality. Almost everyone has been touched by cancer in one way or another. ’  

It’s therefore with regret that the centre is now marketed for sale at offers over £100,000.  Proceeds from the sale of the building will be directed towards the purchase of a new, accessible, bright and friendly support centre in or around Ayr.  It is estimated that a sum in the region of £750,000 will be required to purchase and adapt a suitable building. 

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help raise funds and anyone interested in helping to fundraise to save Ayr’s Cancer Centre should contact the fundraising team on 01292 269888.