Charity launches its Christmas toys appeal

One of the first duties the charity's new head of retail, Liz le Bas, is to open the public call-out asking for quality toys to be dropped off at the trust's fundraising stores including the shop in Cosham High street.

Another new arrival is Julie Ockwell, who has become store manager at the Cosham shop.

To find out how you can donate or support the Wessex Cancer Trust or to benefit from their services, call 02380 672200 or visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk

Julie said: 'We are a fresh to the area and are looking for new volunteers to come and help for as little as two hours a week. Volunteers are the life blood of any charity as we would not be able to operate fully without them.

'We're looking forward to receiving lots of toy donations in our first Christmas appeal, and we hope it's the start of lots of local support. We only ask that people give toys of a quality that they'd have been happy for their own children to receive.'

Wessex Cancer Trust, established in 1981, welcomes 8,000 visitors a year to its four support centres in Southampton, Hythe, Winchester and the Isle of Wight. It has ambitions to open four larger support centres in Cosham, Salisbury, Chandlers Ford and Bournemouth over the next 18 months. The Cosham centre is set to open in December.

The trust also offers a free bus service five days a week for patients travelling from the Isle of Wight to hospital appointments in Portsmouth and Southampton, as well as grants, holiday homes and retreats, singing groups in Portsmouth, Southampton and Salisbury, and information folders and leaflets throughout the UK.

To find out how you can donate or support the Wessex Cancer Trust or to benefit from their services, call 02380 672200 or visit www.wessexcancer.org.uk