We have kick started our fundraising to ensure the continuation of a vital hypnotherapy service which helps local people living with a cancer diagnosis.

Every year an average of 1,700 people in the local area receive a cancer diagnosis. Up to 200 of those people receive hypnotherapy at Leighton Hospital, which is fully funded by MCH Charity. Hypnotherapy is offered for needle phobias, hospital related phobias and anxiety. Without the funding provided by MCH Charity some patients would not be able to tolerate diagnostic or treatment interventions. Every year almost £20,000 is needed to ensure the service can continue to offer this vital support to patients when they need it most.

The charity is asking local people and businesses to get in touch if they can make a donation or would like to talk about fundraising for the cancer services charitable fund. Last year, thanks to the generosity of local people the charity was able to purchase nine high-tech recliner chairs for the chemotherapy unit at a cost of £20,000 and spent a further £30,000 on hair-saving scalp-coolers.

Emma Robertson, MCH Charity Manager said: “We’re really excited to be supporting our amazing cancer services team to raise money for their charitable fund. Donations to the charity make such a big difference to the care and experience for local people living with a cancer diagnosis, so it’s vital that we continue to raise the much-needed funds throughout the year.

“Over the last 12 months we’ve funded chairs, scalp-coolers and the hypnotherapy service. We also support the volunteer service, and the patient support groups, so we really need the help of our local communities and business networks to keep this all going.”

The charity team is kicking off the fundraising campaign with their annual Easter raffle. Tickets are priced at £2 per ticket and can be purchased by visiting the MCH Charity raffle page or from the shop at Leighton Hospital. Prizes include a three night stay in a self-catering cottage for two adults in Conwy, North Wales, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7" Tablet and Champagne afternoon tea for two at Rookery Hall. All prizes have been generously donated by businesses within the local area.

For more information about making a donation, or about the support we can offer fundraisers email Community Fundraiser Carole Salmon carole.salmon@mcht.nhs.uk