OVER half a million pounds has been raised in Fermanagh for Friends of the Cancer Centre.

“I think people would do without that loaf of bread to give you a pound up the street,” said a delighted Jim Gamble, a well-known window cleaner, who along with Ballinamallard woman Avril Graham has been involved in fund-raising for the charity for over 30 years.

Friends of the Cancer Centre may be based in Belfast City Hospital but it has a thriving support group working from Fermanagh led by the two dedicated, passionate volunteers.

It is because of the tireless efforts of the two friends that cancer patients in Fermanagh directly benefit from the projects that the group funds, enabling them to receive treatment, particularly radiotherapy, in Belfast.

The charity funds local cancer research, including its recent investment of nearly £1 million for locally led research into clinical trials. It funds three specialist cancer nurses - called clinical nurse specialists - which offer patients expert care and support during and after their cancer treatment.

It funds complementary therapy and relaxation classes, which are used by over 3,000 people every year and recently it completely renovated five patient day rooms in the Cancer Centre, including a unique space for teenagers and young adults being treated in the Cancer Centre.

The group also provides over 5,200 newspapers and magazines for waiting areas and day rooms in the Cancer Centre and as well as adults, Friends of the Cancer Centre also supports children’s treatment providing a special children’s waiting area, activity packs and toys which can be a welcome distraction for those going through treatment.

Most of this work would not be possible without the input from Fermanagh. However, a humble Mr. Gamble is reluctant to take any of the credit, saying: “It is not through us it is because of the public who have been generous - they have put their back into it, really and truly.” The actual amount of money raised to-date could be much more than £500,000, explained the chairman, adding: “It’s a huge sum of money. The wonderful thing is that it has gone from strength to strength. We have more income – every year it is going up and up. It is going well, and it is going that well that we are needing more help.” The new fund-raising group – set up last month – is progressing well and over the coming months its members will be holding several street collections and an annual country and western music night which takes places in the Killyhelvin Hotel on October 8.

“Fermanagh people are so generous. We have five days for a collection and we go out on the street and most days we collect £2,000. Of course, there are so many people here with cancer,” explained Mrs. Graham, the group’s treasurer, adding: “You come across a lot of people suffering and a lot of people would have personal experiences of cancer.” Neither of the volunteers get paid or receive expenses, but that doesn’t deter the work that they do.

“We want to be able to give something back to the community and that is why Jim and I have been working on this over 30 years,” said Mrs. Graham.

“You don’t know when it is going to be you, me or whoever. Thank God to be able to do it for the people - that’s what I get out of it,” added Mr. Gamble.

As the pair explained, many cancer patients in Fermanagh receive radiotherapy treatment in Belfast and to ensure that vital service continues, the group is encouraging people to help raise much-needed funds to support local people affected by cancer, whether that’s placing a collection can in your local shop, volunteering at a street collection or helping them to organise an event. To find out more and to lend your support phone Jim Gamble on 028 66 324800 or Avril Graham on 028 66 388 695.