STAFF, volunteers and clients of a successful North Somerset charity enjoyed a royal reception at Highgrove House to mark 30 years of providing support to people diagnosed with cancer.
His Royal Highness The Princes of Wales is patron of Penny Brohn Cancer Care in Pill and hosted a lunch reception at his Gloucestershire residence on May 10 in honour of the charity’s 30th anniversary.
Penny Brohn Cancer Care is the UK’s leading charity specialising in complementary care for people with cancer and those close to them.
It provides a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual support using complementary therapies, lifestyle information and self-help techniques for anyone affected by cancer, and their family.
It was set up 30 years ago by Penny Brohn, who was diagnosed with cancer, and her friend Pat Pilkington.
The event on May 10 gave His Royal Highness and the charity’s supporters, including famous faces Maureen Lipman and Anthony Head, the chance to hear more about the plans to expand the service across the UK.
His Royal Highness, who has been patron of the charity since 1997, said: “At Highgrove I’ve tried to create something that warms the heart and feeds the soul, which is exactly what Penny Brohn Cancer Care is doing so brilliantly.
“They have created a model that integrates the holistic and therapeutic with conventional approaches in cancer care, and are now recognised as international leaders.”
The charity does not receive any statutory funding but relies totally on income from voluntary sources and donations to provide residential and day courses, one-to-one appointments and group sessions at its facility in Chapel Pill Lane.
It now plans to work with other charities and the NHS to see its Living Well courses put on across the UK.
Chairman of trustees Francesca Barnes said: “From humble beginnings around Pat’s kitchen table their selfless determination to help others has gone on to support thousands of people with cancer.
“From being a small voice in the wilderness we are today seen as world leaders in whole-person care, integrative medicine and complementary therapies for people with cancer.”
* To find out more about Penny Brohn Cancer Care visit www.pennybrohncancercare.org and for help or advice email helpline@pennybrohn.org or call the helpline on 0845 123 23 10.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here