A FORMER patient was invited back to a specialist cancer treatment centre to help launch its 20th anniversary celebrations.

Alison Charlesworth, former head teacher of Storth Primary School and an ex-patient at the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, was guest of honour at the start of celebrations to commemorate 20 years since the centre in Preston opened.

She was invited to cut to the cake at the event which also saw the launch of the Rosemere Cancer Foundation's 20 Years Anniversary Appeal which hopes to raise £1.5m to fund a trio of ground-breaking projects.

The centre provides all local radiotherapy treatment, as well as some specialist chemotherapy and surgery for people across south Cumbria and north Lancashire.

Money comes from donations and as co-ordinator of the Dallam Rosemere Cancer Foundation Supporters’ Group, Alison has worked tirelessly to help it raise funds. Among other things, she organised a Ritz-style afternoon tea, which she followed by running a pop-up café over the weekend of last summer’s Arnside and Silverdale Arts Trail.

A member of Storth WI and also part of its community owned and run village general store and post office team, Alison nominated the foundation as one of a number of good local causes to receive a share of the store’s profits, which all go to charity.

Tammy Hoskins, Rosemere’s local area fundraising co-ordinator, said: “It was a big day for us and great to have Alison as part of it. She’s a tremendous supporter, who has done so much to raise awareness of our work locally."

Also joining in with birthday celebrations was staff and pupils from Burton Morewood CE Primary Academy in Burton-in-Kendal.

The children, who also had a non uniform day, brought in cakes from home to share with one another, their teachers, parents and villagers, raising £512.52 for the charity.

Former teacher and Rosemere Cancer Centre patient Katy Oliver, of Kendal, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago, gave an inspirational talk on positivity to pupils.

Ms Hoskins added: "It was a lovely event and I’d like to thank head teacher Richard Wilson, his staff, all the children, their parents and the community for supporting it.”

Rosemere anniversary appeal is aiming to bring the latest in robotic surgical systems to the centre, making it a European training hub for the advancement of robotic surgery.

The system will be used to treat patients with gastrointestinal, bowel and gynaecological cancers. It will enable surgeons to use keyhole rather than open surgery on hard to reach parts of the body and in complex procedures, so reducing the risk of complications and speeding recovery time.

It also hopes to raise enough money for a state-of-the-art research facility to enable more patients to participate in clinical trials and to re-develop its in-patient Ribblesdale Ward.

To find out more about the charity visit www.rosemere.org.uk