Norfolk cancer charity, Big C’s, Nearer to Home Appeal, creating a new cancer support facility in central Norwich, has been given a celebrity boost by popular, Norfolk born, Holby City actor, Nic Jackman who has come on-board as an ambassador for the appeal.
Nic, 27, who went to high school in Attleborough and plays doctor Cameron Dunn in the long-running hospital series, said, “When I heard about the appeal, I instantly wanted to give my support and becoming an ambassador is a great honour.
“Like many families, ours has sadly been affected by cancer and my mum actually used the Big C centre at the Norfolk and University Hospital (NNUH) during her treatment and recovery from breast cancer in 2011, which she found hugely beneficial. I think Big C’s idea to create a second Norwich centre in the city, closer to where many local people live, is a great one. Please support and donate to the Nearer to Home Appeal if you can.”
The new Norwich Big C centre, which will be situated in Dereham Road in Norwich, will be pioneering in its vision to offer outstanding cancer care and support in a welcoming environment away from the medical surroundings of the hospital. Some new features of the Big C centre will include a bright space for gentle exercise classes, a large workshop kitchen to enable food and nutrition demonstrations, a light and calm central seating area, private rooms for one-to-one counselling and a sensory wellbeing garden. The centre is being built to an innovative design by Norwich based architects and heritage experts, Purcell, who designed the Big C centre in the NNUH grounds.
Nic adds, “I think what Big C has achieved with the space at its existing centre at the hospital is incredible. It’s such a warm, welcoming environment with excellent facilities for local people affected by cancer. However many people don’t want to return to the hospital site once they have finished cancer treatment and this is where the new centre will come in so they and their families can continue to access the support they need. I urge everyone who can to join me in supporting Big C and donating to the Nearer to Home Appeal and help make Big C’s vision a reality for Norwich and Norfolk.”
Dr Chris Bushby, Chief Executive at Big C said, “The importance of this new Big C cancer support centre cannot be overstated and we are passionate about delivering this project for Norwich and Norfolk. For the past 13 years our expert team at our NNUH centre has provided a bedrock of support, information, well-being therapies, tea, biscuits and a comforting ear to many thousands of Norfolk people affected by cancer, often when they are attending hospital appointments, or during treatment. In addition to this, there is a crucial need to now provide the same level of support for those experiencing cancer and all who surround them, nearer to where they live in the community.”
Dr Bushby adds, “But this only happens thanks to the incredible local support we receive. None of us like to think about whether ourselves or our loved ones will need this kind of service, but it’s important to know it’s there if we do. Every single donation, no matter how small, is very gratefully received.”
Every pound donated to the appeal will go directly to the build and development of this vital new centre to support local people, with the aim to open in early 2020.
Please help us make this vision a reality and donate today. Click above to donate or text BIGC to 70191 to donate £10 today.
Alternatively, cheques made payable to Big C (Ref. Nearer to Home) can be sent to: Big C, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Colney Lane, Norwich, N74 7UG.