‘Built by North Devon, for North Devon’ – cancer wellbeing centre marks milestone

North Devon’s charity-run cancer wellbeing centre celebrated its fifth anniversary on Monday.

Fern Centre supporters, patients, staff and volunteers marked the special milestone at a garden party in the centre’s grounds at North Devon District Hospital.

There was entertainment by Michael Bublé tribute Mark Daniels, who has received support from the Fern Centre himself, as well as clog dancing by the Ilfracombe Red Petticoats and music by the centre’s own Hummin’ and Strummin’ group.

ABOVE: Michael Bublé tribute artist entertains at Fern Centre’s 5th anniversary. Credit: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

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Fern Centre manager Tara Jones said: “It was a fantastic day filled with lots of smiles, dancing, and of course, cake!

“It was wonderful to be able to celebrate with so many of our supporters and very special to be able to reflect on the impact that the Fern Centre has had on the lives of so many people in the local area during the last five years.

“We were also delighted to able to raise £1,284.43, which will help us to support anyone in North Devon affected by cancer.”

The Fern Centre opened its doors to patients for the first time on July 28, 2020 following a successful £1.5m fundraising appeal by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity (then known as Over and Above).

During the past five years, it has provided thousands of local cancer patients and their families with a whole range of free counselling, complementary therapies, information and wellbeing support.

Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser Julie Whitton thanked the local community for its continued support.

“There have been more than 14,000 contacts to the Fern Centre in the last five years from people needing financial, emotional and practical support, alongside the medical treatment provided by the hospital,” she said.

ABOVE: Fern Centre staff celebrate 5th anniversary alongside Bideford Bike Show. Photo credit: Royal Devon Hospitals Charity

“This wellbeing support is beyond what the NHS is able to fund and the centre is only able to provide it thanks to such incredible backing from the local community.

“The Fern Centre was built by people in North Devon, for people in North Devon and the centre continues to be funded entirely by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity, and supported by our brilliant team of volunteers.

“We can’t thank people in North Devon enough for their continued support.”

For more information about the Fern centre, visit www.royaldevoncharity.org.uk/fern-centre