A more permanent home has been found for two lymphoedema clinics for cancer patients thanks to the generosity of the UK’s largest grant-making breast cancer charity.

Walk the Walk has gifted £20,000 of funding, allowing Lewis-Manning Hospice Care to continue with the ‘closer to home’ clinics at AECC University College in Boscombe.

Running two days a week from two rooms at AECC, the hospice offers two lymphoedema clinics simultaneously.

They’re able to see up to 12 patients in a day for initial assessment, reviews and therapy sessions.

Two thirds of the patients have had, or are recovering from, breast cancer.

The AECC clinics – first launched last year – follow the overwhelming success of Lewis-Manning’s mobile clinical unit, which launched in 2021.

Clare Gallie, CEO, pictured left, said: “We are very grateful for the kind generosity of Walk the Walk for funding our ‘closer to home’ lymphoedema clinics at AECC.

“It was a privilege for me to attend and speak at The MoonWalk London last year, chat to their amazing supporters and to have the opportunity to continue our work together.

“Treatment and support for breast cancer patients is vital.

“Walk the Walk play a key part in this across the UK and their support in Dorset means a great deal to Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.”

Linda Sjollema, Senior Lymphoedema Nurse Specialist, said: “Our lymphoedema nurses love the new location.

“We’re so thrilled and very grateful to Walk the Walk for enabling this to happen.

“It’s spacious and welcoming and provides modern facilities which are convenient and ideal for delivering care to our patients.”

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, said: “We are delighted to once again support Lewis-Manning.

“This grant will allow the charity to continue to provide vital hospice care to patients at their lymphoedema clinics at AECC University College.

“It has been very satisfying to watch this wonderful charity’s role in providing support ‘Closer to Home’ for cancer patients in Dorset.

“It is absolutely crucial – lymphoedema can be one of the most painful side-effects of cancer treatment.

“Grants like these are very exciting news for Walk the Walk’s amazing fundraisers and we are delighted to help to make a difference where we can, and where it is needed most.”

AECC is a specialist health sciences university, delivering high quality education, research, clinical and consultancy services, radiology and imaging sciences.

The college runs an extensive outpatient department and has excellent facilities to accommodate the new lymphoedema clinics.