A leading cancer clinician and a leading cancer nurse are encouraging families across Merseyside to sign up for The Summer Solstice Walk in support of cancer services at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Chris Holcombe, cancer lead for the Royal and Gill Hamblin, lead cancer nurse at the Royal, are hoping for a record number of participants at the four mile sponsored walk along the waterfront of the River Mersey this Friday.
Gill Hamblin said: “Anyone can take part in The Summer Solstice Walk, regardless of your age or how fit you are. It’s a great way to raise money for a worthy cause and cancer services at the Royal can benefit hugely from charitable funds.
“The Cancer Wellbeing Centre has recently benefitted from a Charities grant of over £100,000 for a refurbishment. This work has now been completed and we are in the process of taking delivery of items needed to provide the new services.
“We have also been given funding of £87,500 from Charities with an additional £87,500 from Macmillan Cancer Support. This total of £150,000 will be used to
appoint a cancer volunteer services coordinator for a 5 year contract.
“The coordinator will manage the Wellbeing Centre bookings, allowing patients and carers access to therapies such as aromatherapy massage, Reiki and meditation/relaxation as well as be proactive in recruiting volunteers for cancer services.”
Chris Holcombe, who is also the medical director for the Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network, said: “The more funding we get, the more improvements we can make. Money raised by walkers on Friday will help to fund over 500 vital research programs currently taking place at the Royal. We will be able to refurbish specialist cancer wards and treatment areas in both the current and the future Royal hospital.
“We want this year to be the biggest and most successful Summer Solstice Walk yet.
So whether you’ve personally been affected by cancer or want to show support for your loved ones register now and join us for this fantastic family event.”
The ‘Hippy Chic’ themed event will start at the Pier Head on Friday 21 June and will lead groovy walkers past famous city sites including the Liver building, Liverpool museums and the two cathedrals before finishing at Otterspool Prom.
This year’s Summer Solstice has been kindly sponsored by Redrow Homes (Lancashire).
Registration is £10 for adults and free for under 16s. Register now at www.radiocity.co.uk/Royal
