A KIND-HEARTED Highbridge woman is embarking on a personal crusade to help victims of cancer.

Cathy Burbidge was struck down by Hodgkin's lymphoma as a teenager and breast cancer four years ago but overcame them both.

She helps run the hugely successful Fuchsia Club in Weston, which is attended by people from Burnham, and as far away as Portishead.

But, along with pal Sally Green, she has also set up the Willow Group at Bridgwater Arts Centre - offering friendship, support and a listening ear.

“It is very hard to talk about cancer to people who haven't had it”, Cathy said.

“You feel like you have to tell your family and friends you're fine because that's what they want to hear.

“But at the group you can say how you're really feeling and people can relate.

“Sometimes you wouldn't think it was a cancer group because everyone is laughing and that's the freedom it gives you.”

Sally, from Bridgwater, has never suffered from cancer but has close friends and family who have so she knows how important the bi-monthly sessions are.

She said: “It's nothing formal, it's just like meeting friends for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake and having a chat.

“It isn't all doom and gloom either; we try to make light of what can be a very scary time.

“There's one lady with a brain tumour who turns up feeling very low but by the end of it she feels like a cloud has lifted because she has got it all off her chest.

“We offer support at all times and if someone needs us to go and see them at 4am we will.”

The pair hope the Willow Group, which runs on the first and third Fridays of the month, from 10am until 12noon, and is supported by Bridgwater and Burnham Lions, will become as popular as the Fuchsia Club.

They would like to attract more men to the sessions and offer free transport to and from their nearest hospital - call Sally on 07727-015993 or Cathy on 07883-025415 to find out more.