The Holistic Centre is a purpose built building which offers a full range of complimentary therapies. It is built within the grounds of the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. It is, however, not part of the NHS and is funded entirely by voluntary donations. The Holistic Cancer Care Project was born out of a recognition that people who are being treated for cancer need additional holistic treatment in addition to that being directed specifically at the cancer. Money was raised to build the centre which was opened in 2003 and it now provides an oasis of calm to patients and their carers through what is a very traumatic and stressful time in their lives. The project deals with the psychosocial problems associated with cancer and the treatment focuses attention on the emotional and spiritual aspects. Patients and their carers are able to access information and explore other avenues of healing and find out more about cancers and their treatment thereby helping to take away some of the fears associated with the disease. The centre offers alternative treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki healing and homeopothy. Around 85% of referrals received are for symptoms of stress such as insomnia, panic attacks, depression, inability to relax, anxiety etc. By actively monitoring patients using the complimentary therapies it is possible to confirm that they feel much benefit as regards to pain relief, improved sleep, relaxation, reducing stress, coming back into control and an improved quality of life. This charity is not unique but is one of a few in the country helping people to deal with the impact of cancer at the same time that they are being treated medically. It works closely with the NHS consultants and nurses trying to mitigate the panic and fears which inevitably follow a cancer diagnosis. Treatments are provided to patients and their carers ‘free of charge’. The centre is supported by lots of volunteers, many of whom have been through the centre as patients or carers but it does also need some professional staff and the treatment therapists do need to be paid. We therefore have an on going commitment to the centre to raise £150,000 per annum to keep up with the present level of treatments. Ideally we would like to raise this in order to increase the number of available treatments and also to broaden the spectrum of treatments on offer.