TV presenter Gloria Hunniford, who lost her daughter to breast cancer, visited a Purley charity to launch its new telephone counselling service.
Ms Hunniford went to the South East Cancer Help Centre (SECHC) on Friday, November 14, to promote the service, which has been partly funded by money donated in memory of her daughter, Caron Keating, who lost her life to breast cancer.
Ten years ago, money given to the SECHC by the Caron Keating Foundation paid for Caron's Room, a therapy centre where cancer sufferers can relax with treatments such as facials, massage, and aromatherapy.
Now those who cannot make it to the centre can receive specialist support over the phone, as the foundation has helped pay for SECHC's new telephone counselling service, run by counsellors who specialise in helping people with cancer.
SECHC was the first centre Ms Hunniford, a presenter on Loose Women, supported. It is one of the best things the Caron Keating Foundation has done, she said.
"I have seen the centre working and admire the enormous value it provides to people battling cancer," said Ms Hunniford.
"Treatments within the Caron Keating Treatment Room take people away from what they have to deal with, and the feel good factor and relaxation gives them what they need."
Jennifer Mollett, SECHC chairman, said the room is in constant use. Sally Adams, from Bournemouth, is among those who uses the telephone counselling service because there is little help available locally.
"It was so good to have someone to talk to, even at such a distance," said Ms Adams.
"After I had been told that I had cancer I felt very much out of kilter with those around me. It was especially easy to talk to someone who I could open up to and say exactly what I felt."
Ms Hunniford added: "The fact that they are able to come here to talk to each other and get the full understanding of others who are going through what they are going through is extremely supportive. The positivity from people like Sally gives people inspiration and hope."
For more information about telephone counselling, call Nina on 020 8668 0974.
