Wessex Cancer Support has been named Charity of the Year by the Insurance Institute of Southampton, marking the start of a year‑long partnership rooted in a shared commitment to supporting people affected by cancer within the local community. The partnership was born from a desire to champion a cause that makes a tangible difference close to home.
President of the Southampton Institute of Insurance, Lee Smith, was motivated by his own personal experience of cancer, alongside his professional work locally at Ageas Keen to support a charity delivering real, frontline impact, Lee selected Wessex Cancer Support for its vital work supporting not only those living with cancer but also the families and friends around them.
Reflecting on the decision, Lee said:
“Twenty‑five years ago, having gone through cancer myself, I wanted to support someone local, and Wessex Cancer Support is a great charity. Whilst I haven’t benefited from any of the services, I do believe the benefits for family members should be recognised. It’s great that national charities are supported, but please remember that local charities are in our communities providing the essential services we need locally.”
As Charity of the Year, Wessex Cancer Support will be supported by members of the Insurance Institute of Southampton through fundraising activities, awareness‑raising and engagement across the year. The partnership will help ensure the charity can continue offering its wide range of free services to people across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
Wessex Cancer Support provides emotional, practical and physical wellbeing support, including counselling, complementary therapies, exercise programmes, welfare benefits advice and specialist services for children and young people. Demand for these services continues to grow, making local partnerships increasingly important.
Catherine Price, Director of Fundraising at Wessex Cancer Support, welcomed the partnership, saying:
“We’re really pleased to be working with the Southampton Institute of Insurance, and hugely grateful for their support. It shows a real commitment to making a difference for people affected by cancer in our community. We’re really excited about the year ahead and everything we can achieve together to support more individuals and families, so no one has to face cancer alone.
“We hope this partnership encourages others to support local charities making a real difference. By backing organisations like ours, you’re helping provide vital mental and physical wellbeing support to people living with cancer, as well as those around them—because no one should have to go through it alone.”
Wessex Cancer Support is always keen to hear from organisations looking to give back to their local community. If you would like to become a corporate partner, please get in touch with the Fundraising Team.
Email: fundraising@wessexcancer.org.uk
Telephone: 023 8067 2200
Wessex Cancer Support provides free, local and personalised emotional support to anyone affected by cancer in Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. Clients may have cancer themselves, be adjusting to life after cancer, supporting someone with cancer, or be bereaved. It is a charity which relies on donations to provide this support.
In 2026, the charity is celebrating its 45th year supporting the communities across Wessex through its four cancer support centres in Chandler’s Ford, Bournemouth, Waterside (Hythe) and Newport (Isle of Wight), the charity offers a drop-in service, professional counselling, complementary therapies, activities, support groups and courses. It also provides online services so people can access support from the comfort of their own home.
In 2025, the charity provided over 18,900 client support sessions across its services and 97% of clients rated the support they received as good or excellent.
Visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk for more information
Email: media@wessexcancer.org.uk
Tel: 023 8067 2200 [office hours]