Member Article

JIMMY NAILS HIS COLOURS TO NORTH EAST CANCER CHARITY

JIMMY Nail, star of stage and screen has backed the ambition of a North East cancer charity by becoming its patron.

(Fighting All Cancers Together) FACT supports cancer patients, their friends and families with a range of support services from counselling to wellbeing, wig fitting to family fun days out across the region.

Benton-born actor, writer and singer Jimmy is joining its patrons to help it raise awareness of North East Charity FACT – Fighting All Cancers Together. FACT is a local charity, also endorsed by former Newcastle United footballer John Beresford and the late TV agony-aunt, Denise Robertson.

It was founded by cancer survivor and mum of two Joanne Smith, to provide essential support services which simply did not exist when she was going through treatment. Via its team of trained counsellors and volunteers it provides everything from counselling for children and adults, social events and activities, fitness sessions, to mastectomy bra fitting evenings or simply providing ‘kindness kits’ of toiletries, food, clothing and other essentials for patients facing financial pressures during treatment. FACT also delivers an extensive range of cancer awareness and education sessions.

FACT relies completely on donations, volunteers and sales from its seven charity shops across the region to do its vital work in the community, but now it is also looking increase donations to help fund ever increasing demand for its services. Jimmy Nail said, “I am now a patron of FACT and regard this a great honour. We are all of us, directly or indirectly, touched by this dreadful disease and until a cure is found we must do all we can to help those affected.

“Based in the North East, FACT’s work is wide ranging and important. I’ll be doing everything I can to make people aware of the essential good they do.” Joanne Smith, founder and CEO of FACT said: “To secure Jimmy’s support is amazing and we are so grateful he has joined the FACT family. We have recently moved into larger premises and we are expanding our range of services, so anything we can do to raise our profile is extremely important .”

“FACT is a very homely place, with lots going on every day for people affected by cancer in any way. People can come to an arranged group or event, or they can drop in anytime for a coffee and support where they need it, young or old, poorly or not. People don’t need a formal referral, and we support people with cancer, their family, carers and friends- whoever needs us” “Jimmy is a North East treasure and we are delighted he has decided to help us by becoming our patron.”

If you or a friend or family member would benefit from support on living with cancer please contact FACT on 0191 442 0833 or go to the FACT website.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Lauren Regan-Ingram .