Sutton Coldfield’s MP, Andrew Mitchell, has met with Peter Holliday, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice and visited the Cancer Support Centre along with Trinity Councillor Margaret Waddington for a progress update on the provision of care for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses in Sutton Coldfield. St Giles Hospice and the Cancer Support Centre have now been delivering their highly valued services from under the same roof for two years. Mr Mitchell discussed the progress made at the Sutton Coldfield Hospice and the Cancer Support Centre as well as the challenges the centres face due to more demand in Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding areas for cancer support services. Following his meeting with Andrew Mitchell, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, Peter Holliday, said “Residents of Sutton Coldfield were extremely supportive when we set up our Hospice at Whittington thirty years ago. Today St Giles employs over 400 staff, has over 1200 volunteers and spends £8 million providing care in the West Midlands each year.” “St Giles Hospice on Lindridge Road is now more than five years old and is very much a part of the community in Sutton Coldfield.” Following Mr Mitchells tour of the Cancer Support Centre, Paul Williams, said “2012 was a very successful year where we focused on increasing our profile locally. This meant that our dedicated team provided holistic therapies and counselling to over 60% more new clients from the local area than we did in the previous year.” “I am due to meet with the Managing Director of Good Hope Hospital to discuss how we can work with Good Hope to deliver the best cancer care provision in Sutton Coldfield.” Andrew Mitchell MP said, “These two highly valued charities in Sutton Coldfield are extremely important for people battling cancer and other serious illnesses in the Sutton area as well as for their families.” “I was, as I always am, impressed by the quality of care and support patients and their families receive and the dedication from the many volunteers at both of the centres based at Lindridge Road.” For more information about St Giles Hospice go to www.stgileshospice.com or call 0121 378 6290. For more information about The Sutton Coldfield Cancer Support Centre go to www.suttoncancersupport.org or follow the Centre on Facebook or Twitter at: www.facebook.com/cancersupportcentre www.mobile.twitter.com/suttoncancersup Photo: Andrew Mitchell MP with Councillor Margaret Waddington, Fundraising Trustee, Pat Brighton, and Chairman Paul Williams.',