BURY Cancer Support Centre is fighting back with a vengeance after its Bolton Road home was devastated by flooding late on New Year’s Eve.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage to equipment and a collapsed ceiling meant that the centre has been out of bounds and unable to operate.
Centre manager Jan Katana has been working around the clock since the closure and said the response has been amazing from people wanting to help.
“We are overwhelmed by the response of Bury businesses, community organisations and local people for their outpouring of sympathy and support of every kind,” she said.
First up was a magnificent gesture from the neighbouring Bolton Road Methodist Church who have opened up their facilities five days a week to maintain a service to patients.
This will be augmented by home visits wherever possible to make up the hours lost while the centre is out of commission.
Deputy centre manager Lynn Marland said: “Our clinical staff and amazing army of volunteers who staff the centre, providing counselling, therapies, treatments meals, beverages and other essential services were quick to agree to change working hours, shifts, rotas and days to make the interim arrangements work. As always they put the patients first.”
Keen to help so far has been Bury Hospice, with general manager Suzanne Carr offering support, along with the East Lancashire Masonic Order.
TYGAS Ltd has also been lending their support by providing temporary heating of the offices while the main centre is closed.
Nick Ashton, of TYGAS, said: “The centre does such amazing work that it is the very least we could do to help them get back on their feet.”
A Golden Giving page set up after the incident has already raised over £1,250 in just four days with similar amounts donated by well-wishers.
Due to the extent of the water damage and the specialist nature of the clinical operating conditions to which the centre must adhere, it is not known when the centre will re-open.
Anyone who wants to donate and help Bury Cancer Support Centre can do so by visiting http://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/bcsc-floodappeal
This week’s opening hours at Bolton Road Methodists are listed below.
Monday 11am to 2pm
Tuesday 3pm to 5pm
Wednesday 1pm to 3pm
Thursday 3pm to 6pm
Friday 12 noon to 5pm
People can also keep up to date with further announcements through their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/burycsc
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