A FUNDRAISING campaign to build a new drop-in centre offering support to people with cancer in Oxford has nearly reached the £800,000 mark.

Maggie’s Oxford, which operates from a temporary building at the Churchill Hospital in Headington, wants to build a permanent home next to the hospital’s new £109m cancer centre.

The new facility will offer free benefits advice, counselling, relaxation sessions, one-to-one and group sessions with psychologists, exercise classes and a library of information about coping with cancer.

Oxford City Council granted planning permission for the new centre in June, although it is not known when building will start.

On Saturday, a fundraising ball was held at the Four Pillars Hotel in Sandford-on-Thames.

Community fundraiser Sandy Briscoe said: “It was an amazing night.

“The band was brilliant, we had an auction with some fabulous prizes and there was also a raffle.

“We had more than 100 people come along and we’re still waiting for a figure of how much we raised, but as an estimate I’d say it’s about £4,000 to £5,000.”

She added: “We’ve got to raise about £3m in total – £1.9m for the building and £1.2m for ongoing costs.

“So far we’ve got £800,000, which has taken about two years.

“We need to start building as soon as possible.

“We share a temporary building with the oncology unit but that has now moved to the new cancer hospital, where it should be. There’s a great sense of urgency to move into our new building which would be just two minutes from the cancer hospital.”

She said the services at Maggie’s were provided free.

Mrs Briscoe said: “We deal with the emotional and psychological impact of a cancer diagnosis for the person diagnosed with cancer as well as friends and family.”

A range of activities are taking place in the coming weeks to raise more cash.

Tonight, the Abingdon Craft Festival, in the Abbey Buildings, in Thames Street, is hosting a gala evening from 5pm to 9pm in aid of the appeal.

Entrance costs £2 and includes a glass of wine and a mince pie.

The two-week festival will also feature a stall selling Maggie’s Centre Christmas cards from tomorrow until Sunday.

A table-top sale is also being held at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital on October 26 and an autumn fair at the Cotswold Home, Bradwell Village, Burford, on October 29.

For further details about the campaign call Sandy Briscoe on 01865 225710 or you can email sandy.brisoce@maggiescentres.org tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk