A MYSTERY benefactor will allow Bury Cancer Support Centre to fulfil its dream of a permanent home.

The unnamed businessman is to buy Abbeyfield House in Bolton Road, Bury,  and rent it to the centre under a 10-year tenancy agreement. Centre staff hope they can move into the building within a month.

The premises are more than double the size of its base at the St James Centre and will enable manager Jan Katana and her staff to expand services.

Now they are anxious for equipment and volunteers to help get the new building into shape.

Last year, the centre launched an appeal for someone to purchase the Abbeyfield property after a previous potential investor pulled out.

This week, Mrs Katana said: “As a result of the appeal we have been approached by a local businessman who is buying the building on our behalf. We will be making a contribution and paying him rent.”

The sale should be completed once the go-ahead is given by Bury Council for a change of use from a residential home for the elderly to the new Bury Cancer Support Centre.

Mrs Katana said about the anonymous helper: “It’s absolutely overwhelming and we’re beyond grateful. The new building is easily double the size and it will give us designated private rooms for treatment, counselling, complementary therapy treatments and a much larger communal area for patients.

“Our aim is to open earlier in the day and for longer and to actually do some evening and weekend sessions. This will help us develop our services incredibly.

“The new building needs a bit of refurbishment and updating  and a new kitchen. We are looking for businesses and individuals to volunteer to help. We have to clean and decorate the building and need replacement doors and kitchen equipment.”

l Anyone who can help with the move and work can call Mrs Katana  on 07899 990260.