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This local charity supports local people affected by cancer, and also aims to support cancer education and improve facilities for diagnosis and treatment.
Founded in 1972 by the late Countess of Mount Edgcumbe, the Plymouth and Cornwall Cancer Fund (PCCF) supports cancer patients who are under the care of Derriford Hospital. One of the most important ways in which the charity assists patients is by giving grants to those facing financial hardship following diagnosis. Last year, over £12,000 was issued to cancer sufferers and their families to help with transport, overnight accommodation and other subsistence costs. The PCCF has also funded improvements to resources to help with the diagnosis of cancer, for example, a grant of £7,000 paid for a facility to enable specialist blood testing to be performed at Derriford, rather than in Exeter, which reduced the waiting time from three weeks to just three days. Specialist equipment has been purchased for the treatment of cancer patients, such as breast boards for use during radiotherapy, IT equipment for radiology, and a remote monitoring system for colorectal cancer patients who have completed their treatment.
To improve the quality of patient care, two side rooms in Brent Ward were refurbished in 2016 to help support end-of-life care. In addition, practical items, such as a chair and stairlifts have been purchased to assist patients during their treatment. PCCF also supported the introduction of patient-held records to improve communication and information exchange between and within different levels of care, as well as promoting patients’ involvement in their own care. In 2001, a major appeal was launched to provide an extension to the waiting area of the oncology department in Derriford Hospital. Plymouth artist, Brian Pollard, who was then a local GP and had always taken an interest in cancer care, was asked to design the charity’s eye-catching logo. Following the huge response to the appeal, the charity raised £150,000 towards the project.
Since 1986, the PCCF has been supporting small research projects related to improving treatment and support for people with cancer. Funding is made available for post-graduate training and continuing professional development for doctors, nurses, radiographers and technical staff. The charity has provided funds to support three oncology-trained nurses to specialise further in a particular area of cancer care and has recently appointed a chaplain for the palliative care team at Derriford Hospital to support patients and carers of all faiths.
A major portion of the fund’s income is received through the well-situated PCCF charity shop in Hyde Park Road in Mutley, Plymouth, which opened in 1997. The shop, which is run by a part-time manager and over 20 volunteers, has been a huge success, last year raising over £21,000. Fundraising manager for the PCCF, Juliet Cole, has been in her role for two years and has been on the committee and a trustee for 25 years. She is totally committed to helping raise funds for the charity and is proud to say that she knows every penny goes to Derriford Hospital. Through her hard work and dedication, she has successfully managed to raise the profile of the charity, leading to new volunteers and a large increase in donations. Last year alone, £22,000 was raised through the public’s generosity and fundraising events, including an auction of promises, a horse and dog show, and regular donations from a group of singers who perform in residential homes.
Juliet’s main focus for this year is to develop and support a network of local fundraising groups, where volunteers are encouraged to combine their own ideas and skills, and organise a couple of events each year to raise awareness of the charity and help raise funds. Successful groups have already sprung up in the area and earlier this year, Chairman of the PCCF, Sue Aspley, formed the Tavistock and Yelverton PCCF Group, which over the last few months has held a popular fashion show, an antiques roadshow and a quiz night. Juliet says that being a local charity makes a difference to people, knowing that all the money raised is used locally.
Kaye Rogers
If you would like to become a local fundraiser, contact Juliet Cole, fundraising manager, on 07398 117001 or email fundraising@pccf.org.uk; to make a donation online, visit www.justgiving.com/plymouth-cornwallcf, or to find out more, visit www.plymouthandcornwallcancerfund.org.uk