THE SOUTH Hams Hospital League of Friends have donated £25,000 to the Triangle Centre.

The drop-in centre helps to care for patients and their relatives or carers who are undergoing chemotherapy.

It operates at South Hams Hospital every Tuesday, at the same time as patients receive chemotherapy in the hospital.

The Triangle Drop-In Cancer Support Centre is staffed by experienced cancer nurses, therapists and trained volunteers.

They provide explanations of treatments available to patients and strategies for coping with associated side effects.

Patients are also given help to understand information from the hospital and other health care professionals.

The staff are able to access recovery packages and provide support for the impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment upon relationships. The team also provide emotional and practical support for family and carers.

Also on offer are reiki, massage and reflexology - complementary therapies that can be a valuable aid to relaxation, available to both patients and carers.

Counselling is also available for patients, carers and family members in a supportive and confidential environment. The counsellors are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and have experience of working with cancer.

Sue Smith from the Triangle Centre reports that the number of patients using the service has grown dramatically over the years, with the busiest day seeing 49 clients attending. In the last year, more than 1,200 people have attended.

The local community now regard it as an essential service.

Although Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust have picked up all the running costs of delivering chemotherapy at South Hams Hospital, the Triangle Centre still relies on donations to continue their service.

Chair of the League of Friends Daphne Jefferson said: ‘We are delighted to be in a position to help, especially since we established a great working relationship with the centre in their formative years.

‘I would also like to take the opportunity to thank the people of the South Hams for their generous support, without their substantial donations to the League of Friends we would be unable to support this worthy cause.’

For more information on the Triangle Centre or to make a donation to the League of Friends, please call Lucy Figg or Debbie Clift on 01548 852349 on Tuesdays.