A CENTRE which provides support for people affected by cancer has celebrated its first-year anniversary.

More than 150 people attended the event to mark the big day at the Horizon Centre in Brighton.

Volunteers and people who use the centre were there.

So too were representatives from the three partners who worked together to build the pioneering centre.

They were Lynda Thomas, chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, Evelyn Barker, managing director of Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, and George Deutsch, founder and chairman of The Sussex Cancer Fund.

Emma Kennedy, who has secondary breast cancer, told her moving story of how she is being supported by the variety of the services at the centre, such as welfare and benefits advice, yoga and complementary therapies.

She said: “I’m so lucky that we have the centre; its complementary therapies help me so much with the harshness of the chemo.

“I’m also proud of the relationship between the oncologists and nurses at the Sussex Cancer Centre with the Horizon.

“It feels like we are supported by all, who are working together to keep us well.”

Helping to unveil the plaque was Mayor of Brighton Mo Marsh and Doon Mackichan, actor and comedian from shows such as Smack the Pony and Plebs.

Doon’s son Louis was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was nine.

He’s 21 now, fit and healthy.

Doon said: “The Horizon Centre is a haven to people affected by cancer – it’s so important for them just to feel normal.

“Even just being able to get a decent sandwich and a coffee makes such a difference.

“When my son was ill he was in hospital and it was just so brutal and harsh.

“But here it is completely different – places like the Brian Eno sensory room are geared to people’s needs and help people feel better.

“It’s incredible that a building can help your healing.

“Hopefully the Horizon Centre can be used as a blueprint for how to treat people affected by cancer.

“It’s fantastic that it takes a holistic approach and people can get everything they need here – all the way through to benefits advice.”

The centre provides a non-clinical, relaxing space for anyone affected by cancer to cope with the practical, emotional, physical and financial impact of cancer.