Football club’s boost for North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre

Efforts by a local cancer support charity to expand its work across the far north have been boosted by a £500 donation from community-minded football club Halkirk United.

The cheque for the North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre was handed over at the Anglers’ home ground, Morrison Park, before their last match of the season against Orkney at the weekend.

The Thurso-based centre is one of the first two good causes to benefit from a 150+ club fundraising draw launched at the start of last year by the North Caledonian League team.

Members pay a monthly fee and are entered into a regular draw for cash prizes. Half the money taken in over the year will go out in prizes and donations.

Highland mental health charity Mikeysline had been presented with a £500 cheque by Halkirk United in February.

North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre is offering an expanded range of services and seeking to reach further into the communities of Caithness and Sutherland.

A £180,000 funding award from Macmillan Cancer Support has been used to fill three part-time posts over a three-year period at the centre, as well as providing new activities and classes.

The charity is keen to promote its support groups in Wick and Bettyhill. The Wick one meets weekly at Caithness Mental Health Support Group’s premises, The Haven, while the Bettyhill sessions are on a monthly basis in the local library.

Sophie Kinghorn, health and wellbeing manager at the North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre, explained: “We’re trying to drive the charity out into the wider community.”

In the year since the Macmillan funding came through, the centre has attracted 65 new members.

“That’s great, we’re making progress in that department, but there’s more that can be done,” Mrs Kinghorn said.

There are increased opening hours, weekly one-to-one counselling consultations, regular Macmillan nurse visits, new therapists and numerous workshops.

“The charity doesn’t just benefit the people that have the diagnosis,” Mrs Kinghorn pointed out. “It’s for their families as well, and that’s an important point to get across.”

Halkirk United chairman Willie Campbell said: “We all know it’s a worthy cause that does a lot of good for the county.”

North Highland Cancer Information and Support Centre is located at 5A High Street, Thurso (phone 01847 890996 or email support.centre@nhcisc.org).

A statement on the centre’s website explains: “We provide emotional support and information about treatments and services to individuals affected by cancer in Caithness and Sutherland.

“Our services include complementary therapies, counselling, group activities, referrals to financial services, access to support, and a welcoming environment for visitors to have a conversation with our volunteers and staff.”

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