A LOCAL couple has raised vital funds for the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG) which will be used to pay for specialist medical equipment.
Tim and Sandy Walwin from Wanstrow, near Frome, presented a cheque for £4,150 to the TV actress Stephanie Cole who is president of the BCUSG, which provides equipment and facilities for cancer patients at Bath’s Royal United Hospital (RUH).
The actress, best known for her roles in the TV sitcoms Still Open All Hours and Waiting for God, recently launched an appeal for the BCUSG which wants to raise £369,822 for new projects to improve outcomes for cancer patients from across Bath and Somerset.
Tim has received treatment at the RUH and the money he and Sandy, and their family and friends, have raised will pay for a low level laser therapy unit, that can reduce the severity of mouth ulcers caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Almost all patients treated for tonsil, tongue and throat cancer develop inflammation and ulceration of the lining of their mouth and tongue, which is debilitating and painful, making it difficult to talk, eat and drink.
Emma de Winton, who is a consultant clinical oncologist at the RUH said, “I am delighted that as a result of the amazing fundraising effort by of one of our patients, Tim Walwin, and his generous donation to the BCUSG, we are able to purchase a low level laser therapy unit and this treatment will soon be available to patients being treated at the RUH in a clinical trial.”
The BCUSG’s new appeal is looking to fund three projects including an out-of-hours helpline for outpatients receiving chemotherapy, and equipment to target radiotherapy more accurately. The charity is also looking to provide additional funds so that the NHS can upgrade its solid-state gamma camera, which will provide better images for cancer diagnosis.
To make a donation to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group Appeal visit www.bcusg.org, email fundraising@bcusg.org or phone 07896 741233.
Above: Left to right, BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor, actress Stephanie Cole and Sandy and Tim Walwin.
