As the Cove Macmillan Support Centre Appeal continues to gather momentum the building has come as step closer as the eagerly anticipated green light on planning has been given this week.

“It’s fantastic news and means we can get the building underway whilst the fundraising continues,” said Sarah Roby, head of estate development at RCHT.

“We aim to start on site this summer and the build programme should be just under a year.”

The Cove Macmillan Support Centre will provide a central hub offering support and information to cancer patients, their families and friends. It will be located between the Sunrise and Mermaid Centres on the Royal Cornwall Hospital site and is a joint project between Macmillan Cancer Support and RCHT.

Macmillan has already committed £1.8 million to the Centre and the remaining £1 million is being raised through its current public Appeal.

RCHT cancer specialists together with the Cornwall Cancer Patient and Carer Group and the local Macmillan team have been fully involved in the design of the Cove Centre, bringing together lots of perspectives that will help to ensure it meets the needs of everyone who is likely to use it.

Features of the Centre will include private discussion rooms, an information and resources area, meeting space for local support groups and a café area which will contribute to its ongoing running costs.

Director for cancer services at RCHT, Dr Bryson Pottinger said: “We’ve been working towards a support centre in Cornwall for a long time and know it is something patients and their families have been asking for. It is an exciting development, offering an invaluable extra dimension to the care and support we can give and we can’t wait to see the Centre open next summer.”

Suzie Warren from Macmillan said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone, it means we are one step closer to this ambitious project becoming a reality. People in Cornwall have now raised over £100,000 for the centre, which is a fantastic achievement.

"People have been doing whatever they can to support us, whether it’s baking cakes, taking on tough physical challenges or simply donating what they can. We have been blown away by the enthusiasm and generosity shown by everyone involved.

"We still have about £900,000 more to raise, so we’re appealing to everyone out there to keep up the amazing work and help us improve the lives of people affected by cancer in Cornwall.”

If you or a local community group would like to get involved in fundraising for the Cove Macmillan Support Centre appeal or to make a donation online go to http://www.macmillancove.wordpress.com or you can call 0300 1000 200.