News / CLAN to open Lerwick centre
THE ABERDEEN-based cancer charity CLAN are to convert the former Lerwick vet practice into a drop in centre and charity shop.
Chief executive Debbie Thomson said that when the lease is signed it will realise a dream of having a base in Shetland, after local folk raised £600,000 towards the building of the new CLAN Haven in the city.
CLAN has won such huge support in the islands because of the number of people who have used its services while loved ones received treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
Ms Thomson said that early next year they hope to appoint a co-ordinator to set up and run the Lerwick premises, on Commercial Road.
The new facilities will offer emotional support, therapies and information for people with cancer and their friends and family.
“We are really so excited about it and looking forward to working with everyone on the island,” she said.
“I promised this some time ago after the tremendous fund raising effort from the local people to our new build in Aberdeen, but I am realising a dream and it is part of our vision that we provide services in Shetland.”
The charity shop will aim to raise the fund to keep the local centre going. “We don’t want to start offering services in a local community and then find that down the road we couldn’t find the finances to continue,” Ms Thomson said.
“We know of the of the value of the much needed services that are in the community, so we want to make sure that it is sustainable.
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