Poole hospital partners with Wessex Cancer Support

The Harbour Hospital, part of Circle Health Group, has partnered with Wessex Cancer Support to help fund and raise awareness of the emotional support we offer anyone affected by cancer across Wessex.

The partnership marks the start of the hospital’s ‘giving something back’ initiative for 2024. Since the scheme launched in 2021, Circle Health Group hospitals have raised more than £40,000 for causes and charities across the UK.

Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. We provide free, local and personalised emotional support to anyone affected by cancer at our four cancer support centres; community wellbeing drop-in sessions, and online.

Staff and doctors at the Harbour Hospital in Poole hope to raise £5,000 for us by the end of the year through a Beach Front 10K, Mud Run and a number of other events.

The ‘giving back’ initiative encourages each of Circle’s hospitals across the country to partner with a charity working in their community. Throughout the year, the hospital will work with, and raise money for, Wessex Cancer Support, with Circle centrally matching the amount raised locally.

Rachel Billsberry-Grass,  Wessex Cancer Support’s CEO, said:

“We’re delighted that The Harbour Hospital has recognised the vital work that Wessex Cancer Support delivers in the community. Although most of us will be affected by cancer at some point in our lives, it can still be really difficult to talk about, and the emotional support we offer is so important. Many of our clients tell us the thoughts and feelings they experience can be scary, overwhelming and isolating, and we know there’s no right or wrong way to feel, react or cope with cancer. We’re a charity which relies on donations to provide our services, so having the backing of local organisations helps to normalise conversations around cancer and raises much needed funds to support local people.”

Steve Sharp, Executive Director of The Harbour Hospital, said:

“We are committed to supporting patients and their loved ones at every stage of the treatment journey. We see our partnership with Wessex Cancer Support as an extension of that commitment. The charity works tirelessly to support those affected by cancer and we welcome the opportunity to aid them in that work throughout the year.”

The photo shows (L-R) Sarah Ward Clinical Services Manager for Diagnostic Imaging, Steve Sharp Executive Director, Fiona Ivey Patient Administrator, Jasmine Wright Senior Registered Nurse for Oncology, Jo Merrett Head of Philanthropy and Major Partnerships at Wessex Cancer Support, Steffi Colbert Manager of Wessex Cancer Support’s Bournemouth cancer support centre, Carl Norman Deputy Clinical Services Manager for Theatres.