We are delighted that we have been able to fund 14 brand new comfortable recliner chairs for patients having chemotherapy at Lister Cancer Centre thanks to a host of generous supporters in our community.

The fundraising campaign for chairs was launched by Knebworth Golf Club with Ladies' Captain, Sue Roberts, deciding to fundraise for them after having treatment herself at the centre. She was having regular chemotherapy at the centre and knew how much of a difference having new chairs would make to patients like herself. Sue is pictured below on one of four chairs that the club helped to purchase.

Six chairs were then purchased by Vicki Adkins MBE through her charity the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal with support from the Hertfordshire Fighting Breast Cancer Committee who held a bridge drive event to raise funds for the appeal.

Local organisations Orifarm, Unison Direct (through employee and patient, Sam Dale) and Letchworth Baldock and Lions Club funded three of the chairs and the remaining amount were fundraised by grateful patients Maxine Shackell and the Coyle family who all took part in running events to help raise funds for the cause.

An official opening and thank you event was held at the centre on 7 April which was kindly supported by Peabodys Coffee shop who provided free refreshments for guests.

Trish Millward Matron of Lister Cancer Centre said:

"We are so grateful to all of the kind and generous supporters who have got behind the appeal so far helping to raise in excess of £27,000 to purchase the 14 chairs. Our patients are having regular courses of chemotherapy with sessions lasting as long as six hours at a time so having a comfortable recliner chair which enables patients to lie back and relax during the treatment makes such a difference to their experience. I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of the individuals, families and organisations who have been inspired to give back to our centre to purchase the invaluable chairs which will make a daily impact to hundreds of local patients for many years to come."

The centre needs four more chairs to complete the unit. Please make a donation or fundraise for the remaining chairs so every patent can use a comfortable chair.