ROMSEY Cancer Support Centre has been assembling a ‘Jane’s Army’ to build an extension to the new support centre that they will be moving into during the Summer.

The new centre is just behind the existing Jane Scarth House, in the Hundred.

Once extended it will double the space of the existing premises, and will also be fully accessible. All support is provided free of charge and the centre is open to anyone with or affected by cancer who chooses to use it.

At the weekend a team of six brickies, led by Nick Hawkins, started work on building the walls. All of the team donated their spare time, and they were supported by other donations from: Ace Liftaway – skip to remove the rubbish, Bellway Homes – blocks and other building materials, Brandon Hire – trestles and boards, Mackoy – cement and insulation, Michelmersh Brick Holdings – bricks, SIG – insulation and WH Berry – sand.

Mr Hawkins said: “I lost my wife to cancer 11 years ago, and wish I had known about Jane Scarth House then. As soon as I heard about this project I wanted to get involved. I spoke to the team and everyone wanted to join me.

“We’ve enjoyed working on this important project, which is very different from our day job of building new homes, and look forward to completing the brick and blockwork next weekend.”

Once the brickwork is complete, the roof will be the next step. With donations already promised for the timber and slates, and a carpenter lined up to do the timberwork, Romsey Cancer Support Centre are looking for a volunteer or volunteers to slate the roof.

Trustee Sue Jones said: “We are so grateful to everyone who has donated time or materials to make this project a reality. People are finding it very rewarding to become involved with a cause that is close to so many people’s hearts.”