What is the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre?
The Centre is a self-funding registered charity. It was established by a group of cancer patients, who recognised the need for somewhere to go, to relax and talk with others in a similar situation. They also realised that families, friends and carers needed a place to find information and talk freely, without burdening the patient or each other.
What does the Centre offer?
Most people are affected by cancer during their lives and many find this a traumatic and lonely experience. We aim to help and support anyone going through the emotional upset of cancer, from diagnosis onwards, be they patients, their partners, children, friends, or carers. We offer a safe, relaxing, friendly environment where mutual support and information can be found, without the pressure of appointments or time restraints. We offer a wide range of complementary therapies, such as reflexology, reiki, healing and massage; also nutritional advice, yoga and counselling. All are available free of charge.
Who runs the Centre?
The Centre is run entirely by volunteers.
Is the Centre a part of the NHS?
The Centre is an independent charity and we receive no funding from the NHS. A number of individual consultants and GPs refer their patients to us.
Who visits the Centre?
The majority of our visitors are cancer patients, family members and carers, seeking support or information, some of whom have returned many times. We also welcome visits from people interested in supporting us, including health professionals, local businesses and individuals wishing to raise funds for us or become volunteers.
How is the Centre financed?
We rely entirely on grants, donations and bequests, from businesses, organisations and individuals, and our own fundraising activities. You may have seen reports of some of our events in the local press.
How can I help?
We need volunteers with all kinds of backgrounds and skills, including qualified and experienced complementary therapists, fundraisers and people to help with publicity, clerical tasks and making the tea! If you would like to help, please ‘drop-in’ to see us, or write or phone. We are always very grateful for donations; if you would like to support us in this way, please send a cheque made out to ‘The Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre’ to the postal address.
Check Out Our Latest Newsletter...
Spring Newsletter 2010
Latest News......
Heart of the Community Award, 2012
Congratulations to the Team for all their hard work and efforts which have been awarded first place in the Heart of the Community Award 2012 and a prize of £1,500.00!
And Polly meets Royalty...
Polly was at hand to meet the Earl and Countess of Wessex on their recent visit to Royal Tunbridge Wells
Good news...The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre has been awarded the Community Group Award 2012!
White Stuff have chosen The Pickering Centre as their national charity. Their current event is that they will recycle your old mobile phone and make a donation to The Pickering Centre. So dig around in the back of the cupboard take any old phones down to White Stuff in Tunbridge Wells and you could be helping our fundraising.
Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon 2012
Fantastic effort Lifestyle Renault Team!
The Pickering Cancer Drop in Centre together with the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust were the charity chosen by the Tunbridge Wells Harriers to benefit from the money raised by this year’s Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon, which took place on 27th February 2012. Check out the video here:
www.vimeo.com/20596153
The Pickering Cheerleaders, together with local band Bloco Fogo were out in force outside Lifestyle Renault to cheer on all the runners. The race was sponsored by Lifestyle Renault, who also entered a team of runners whose efforts in completing the race has raised nearly £8,000 for the Pickering Centre.
Pickering Cancer Drop-In Win West Kent Business Award...
Members of the Management Team receiving the plaque as winners in the Customer Care category of the West Kent Business Awards on Thursday 25th November 2011
Sponsored Walk raises £800
A big thanks to Brian Guinnesy and his two brothers and a friend who recently completed a sponsored walk on the Camino de Santiago in Spain and managed to raise £800 for the Centre in the process!
The latest Markerstudy Pictures celebrating their 10th anniversary at the Savoy...
2011 Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon 27th February
A big thanks to the Lifestyle Renault team for not only supporting the event but also the Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre. So far, a massive total of £15,000 has been raised by the team-what a fantastic achievement.
Catch up with the video of the event at the following link Lifestyle Renault Video
A Snowy Christmas Party at the Spa Hotel
The numbers were diminished by the unprecedented early snowfall...but spirits remained high as the volunteers were treated to a lavish traditional feast at the Spa Hotel yesterday, Thursday 2nd December. We were pleased to welcome the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Peter Blackwell, who talked about his life as a magistrate in Mark Cross (which he started at the tender age of 27) and his other role as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent. Fascinating stuff...
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Peter Blackwell
6th Birthday Bash
We had a fantastic party on Friday 26th November to celebrate our 6th Birthday. We were joined by our local MP, Greg Clarke and staff, as well as the Tonbridge Mayor and a host of supporters. We even managed to raise £1,000 form generous donations on the day!
We would like to say a very big thank you to The Blues Brothers Little Brother band who gave a fantastic performance for the Centre on Friday night (15th October) at The Spa Hotel. A great time was had by all and a staggering £4,412.20 was raised.
"Love Where We Live Awards" for the work she does for the Centre. We are all pleased that Polly won the first prize on Monday 7th June 2010. Well done Polly - very well deserved.
The Girls do Lunch...
Pictures courtesy of David Hodgkinson Photography
Polly and Elizabeth are invited to tea with Her Majesty...
A lovely day was had we are reliably told!
You can now follow us on Facebook too...www.facebook.com and search for Pickering Cancer Drop In
Well done to Marc and Paul for completing the British 10K London run in July-fantastic effort!
Breaking News....The Irish Night raised a fantastic sum of £4,779!!! Well done to all of the fundraising team and contributors
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