A CHARITY that provides therapy to people living with cancer is opening a new support centre, after scooping a £5,000 national award.

Old Mill Foundation was awarded the money by financial services company OneFamily as part of its Community Awards.

With the funding, Old Mill Foundation will open a new support centre in Port Talbot.

It hopes to enlist ten new volunteer therapists to make its services accessible to more people.

The charity, which helps more than 275 people every year at its current sites in Llandybie and Penclawdd, provides a range of treatments for people living with cancer, including massage, reflexology and hypnotherapy.

The awards are part of the OneFamily Foundation and were created to give its customers the opportunity to support projects in their area that matter to them and their families.

This year’s awards saw customers nominating projects to win £5,000, £10,000 or £25,000 across four categories.

OneFamily customer Colin Tarry, put Old Mill Foundation forward because he’s a volunteer at the charity.

The group is one of 32 organisations to have won an award in this latest round.

Colin said: “Cancer is a devastating disease that can not only affect people’s physical health, but also their self-confidence and emotional wellbeing.

“A lot of our volunteers are cancer survivors so they really understand what our clients are going through and can provide the support they need to help them through a difficult time.

“By opening the new site we will be able to help at least 50 more people who are suffering from this horrible illness, and we’re so thankful to everyone who voted for us and helped to secure this fantastic award.”

Guy French, corporate and customer strategy director at OneFamily said: “Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer and the devastating impact it can have.

“We’re really pleased that this award will help Old Mill Foundation support even more people who are living with the disease.

“The projects that the awards support are all very special to our customers and make a positive difference in their local communities.

“We are a customer-owned business and for us it’s not just about offering financial products and services.”

“The OneFamily Foundation is a way that we give something back to our customers, and each year we give hundreds of thousands of pounds to causes that matter to them most.

“Last year, we touched the lives of more than 100,000 people through our awards and grants, and this year we hope to make the Community Awards even bigger and better.”