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Free targeted online exercise for cancer patients

Cancer patients in West Suffolk can now sign up for free, targeted, online exercise sessions thanks to a lottery-funded programme.

The Macmillan Cancer Support unit at West Suffolk Hospital is offering the free courses on a first come, first served basis.

Patients can pick from a free two-month subscription to recorded online Pilates classes, or a six-week course of live exercise classes delivered every Wednesday and Friday.

The courses, delivered in partnership with Bury St Edmunds physiotherapists Ribbon Health, are designed especially for cancer patients to help them deal with the symptoms of the disease and bolster recovery after treatment.

Patients can also receive a free activity tracker to help them monitor their activity and encourage them to be more active.

Macmillan survivorship coordinator Lilla Babraff said: “The right sort of exercise can really help during treatment or when patients are recovering. There are lots of online courses around but they can be hard to keep up with. Our courses are designed especially for cancer patients.”

To book a place, please contact Nicky, Pat or Lilla at the Macmillan Information and Support Centre at West Suffolk Hospital by emailing cancer.infocentre@wsh.nhs.uk or calling 01284 713023.

The courses are being made possible by National Lottery funding managed by Active Suffolk. The grant also covers a Nordic walking programme, although this is already fully booked.

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Hayley Jarvill and Anna Clayton from Ribbon Health

Hayley Jarvill and Anna Clayton from Ribbon Health