A VALE charity has offered patients at a city hospital a free break to an award-winning country estate.
The Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust, based in Evesham, will give cancer sufferers on the haematology ward of Worcestershire Royal ‘a weekend away from it all’ with their families at the Farncombe estate in the Cotswolds.
The trust was founded in memory of Tracy Sollis, who lost her battle against the disease in 1995.
Sue Sollis, Tracy’s mum and founder of the trust, said: “Tracy’s main wish was to help others.
“She’s my inspiration for everything we have done as a charity. Thanks to the support and donations we receive, we are able to help so many others with their treatment and care.”
Pete James, specialist nurse practitioner, said: “We have received so much support from the Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust over the years.
“These breaks are close enough for our patients to travel to. I’ve known many patients who have had to cancel holidays away because they were so dependent on blood transfusions they couldn’t get away for more than a few days.”
Antony Fessey, from Worcester, is one of the patients set to benefit from the Vale trust’s complimentary weekend.
The 41-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia a year ago after going to his GP when he discovered bruises had appeared on his body.
“Things moved pretty quickly from when I first went to my GP,” he said. “I took a few weeks off work to get over the initial shock of my diagnosis.
“I am grateful for the friendliness and helpfulness of staff in the hospital, they’ve really helped me understand and manage my leukaemia. Hopefully I’m on the mend now.
“This weekend away will be so good for me and my family. It gives us all something to look forward to, which is so important.”
