Premises for cancer support group

A voluntary cancer support organisation is set to have its dreams realised with a premises for a support service and drop-in centre.

Cork County Council has agreed to sell a two-storey property to the Youghal Cancer Support Group, with the disposal to be agreed at tomorrow’s Midleton Area Roads Committee.

Pending approval, the deal will go before the full county council a week later.

The building, at Church Street, stands close to the town centre and within 50 metres of a public car park. Formerly a library and also a Gaelscoil, it has been vacant for several years.

The anticipated acquisition follows more than five years of fundraising, with massive support across east Cork and west Waterford.

Last year RTÉ broadcaster Ryan Tubridy and other celebrities rowed in behind the efforts when he auctioned a bull calf named after him at Dungarvan mart. The calf fetched €5,500 and the auction raised more than €140,000.

Cancer survivor Therese O’Connell founded the Youghal Cancer Support Group in 2008. She says the centre will strive to assist those affected directly and indirectly by the disease, while alleviating the stress of travelling to more distant urban centres.

Plans include provision of information, transport, social events and qualified counselling.

A holistic approach is also envisaged to include massage, meditation, yoga and alternative therapies, to operate in conjunction with prescribed medical treatments.