BURY Cancer Support Centre, the only one of its kind in North Manchester, has celebrated its second birthday.

And the next 12 months will be devoted to raising the profile of the organisation as well as collecting cash to help the centre ultimately establish its own purpose-built base.

Staff and patients attended the centre's second birthday party at St James' Church Hall, Woolfold. A special cake was donated by Asda Pilsworth and patients provided goods for a bring and buy sale. Marks & Spencer also supplied vouchers.

The organisation was established by complementary therapists Edwina Hodkinson and Lynne Marland to provide free support and counselling to cancer patients and their carers.

Together with a group of qualified practitioners, they also treat those with cancer to a range of complementary therapies, including reflexology, massage and reiki, between 11am and 3.30pm each Tuesday at St James' Church Hall.

The centre has helped patients and their carers from as far away as Preston and Cheshire.

Last September, the centre celebrated being given charity status and a Friends of Bury Cancer Support Group was established to help raise money.

Mrs Hodkinson said: "We have an average of 30 patients each Tuesday and the last year has seen the number of therapists increase to 12. The encouraging news is that a lot of our patients are involved in fundraising through our Friends.

"During the next two years, we will be involved in a lot of fundraising so we can ultimately have our own place which can be up and running five days a week.

"We also want to raise our profile in Bury more and to let people know the tremendous amount of work we do and the valuable service we offer. This is the only centre of its kind in North Manchester."

She added: "I also work at Christie Hospital and it's amazing the number of patients who have stopped me in the corridor to tell me how wonderful Bury Cancer Support Centre is and the difference it has made to their lives."