Charlie Bear for Cancer Care spent up to £1m in past five years

Oct 1 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

ONE of the region’s best-loved charities, which is supported by The Journal, has spent up to £1m in the last five years to help people with cancer.

Charlie Bear for Cancer Care has used its funds to purchase equipment for the Northern Centre for Cancer Care (NCCC) at Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital.

The charity has bought medical items such as breast tunic gowns, ultrasound equipment and blood pressure machines, to items such as cancer information booklets and furniture for patient waiting areas.

Kevin Hayes, manager of information and support services at the NCCC said: “Charlie Bear for Cancer Care has been a lifeline in helping support those living with the illness.

“The charity has been vital in enabling us to buy equipment to help those with cancer. There is no way we could have provided all the things we have at the NCCC without the help of the charity. Charlie Bear for Cancer Care was instrumental in the purchasing of furniture to allow patients to feel comfortable and in a less clinical environment.

“The charity is not just here to help the medical treatment of patients. It is also here to look after the welfare of patients and this can be anything from information booklets, to simple things like buying newspapers for patients to read while they’re waiting for treatment. It is essential people continue to support the charity.”