Centre has Christmas all wrapped up

Solaris Care Cancer Support Centre is calling on the community to help beat its previous fundraising figure of $8500 from its annual gift wrapping stand at Bunbury Centrepoint.

Now in it’s sixth year, Solaris volunteer and office coordinator Carline Turner said it was one of their biggest events of the year to raise money which helps keep the centre going.

Solaris only ask for a gold coin donation per wrapped item, putting the target into perspective.

“It’s a lot of presents to be wrapped,” Ms Turner said.

“But we get so many generous people who give maybe $10 for their gift, so there are very generous people out there.

“It always amazes me how the community pulls together and are so wanting to give.”

Ms Turner said Solaris Care provides an invaluable service to cancer sufferers and their carers, allowing access to therapies such as counselling and massage to improve quality of life.

“While the person is going through cancer, chemo and radiotherapy, we give them a soft place to land,” she said.

“It’s all about relaxation and it’s very important for them to have that part of it.”

With over 200 new patients visiting the centre this year alone, donations are more important than ever. “It’s way too many and it affects not only the person going through it but the family,” she said.

“A lot of the time the carers come in and they benefit from it too, it is important to help them as well.”

Volunteers will be gift wrapping outside Target until Christmas Eve.