A CANCER support centre received nearly £2,000 through a charity scheme voted for by Romsey Advertiser readers, helping to serve the rising demand for counselling.

Staff at Jane Scarth House (Romsey Cancer Support Centre) were “jumping for joy” when they heard the final total, they’d be awarded as part of the Reader’s Choice Cash for Charity, under the Romsey Advertiser’s parent company’s charitable arm, The Gannett Foundation.

The charity has seen demand skyrocket in recent months and currently supports around 100 people a week who are impacted by cancer.

With just two paid members of staff, and eight self-employed members who provide therapy and counselling, the support centre relies on donations and volunteers.

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Centre manager Rachel Tucker said: “To be included in the shortlist itself was phenomenal but we were jumping for joy when we found out the total. A huge thanks to everybody who voted for us.

Charity ambassador Sarah Rowcliffe said: “We're delighted and very grateful. At the moment counselling is in high demand and with this money we can provide additional sessions.

“Any donation has a massive impact on us. There's no CEO or marketing team so the money goes straight into helping people.”

Jane Scarth House was one of ten shortlisted charities across the Hampshire and Dorset region. Each charity was guaranteed a share of £16,000 with the designated totals being based on tokens submitted by readers.

The cancer support service, based in The Hundred, achieved one of the highest totals in the region with a total of £1,911.74.

Founded in 1995, in memory of Romsey resident Jane Scarth, the charity provides emotional and practical support through individual plans to anyone whose life is affected by cancer.

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Rachel took over as centre manager in 2021 when she was looking for a job where she could give something back.

Hampshire Chronicle:

She said: “There's a real need for mental health support and GPs are really struggling to keep u so it's really important that there is somewhere safe for people to go, and we don't limit our sessions. People can come as long as they need.

“We keep our costs to a minimum because the focus is on helping people. The clients are our priority.

“We’re open between Christmas and New Year because cancer doesn’t stop for Christmas and anyone can phone in, the service isn’t geographically restricted.”

There’s also a Jane Scarth Charity Shop ran by a manager and a group of volunteers. All proceeds from the shop fund services at the support centre.

Services are provided in a non-medical setting and range from befriending and counselling to meditation and complimentary therapies.

For more go to www.janescarthhouse.co.uk/.