THE Hereford Haven has provided one woman with a 'little oasis of calm'.

Karen King, 47, from Bartestree, was first diagnosed with cancer after she found a pea-sized lump in her breast back in March 2014.

She received six rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and 20 sessions of radiotherapy.

But in March this year, the mother-of-two discovered the cancer had returned and is now undergoing more chemotherapy sessions.

She heard about the support that the Haven could provide and when she visited, found it could offer her a 'half-way house' between regular hospital appointments and being at work.

As well as support from staff at the Haven, she has received acupuncture, reflexology and hypnotherapy treatment which have helped her to sleep better and reduce anxiety.

"While I was having treatment there was a plan of things happening and I think probably as time goes on it kind of sinks in a bit more," she said.

"It just takes a bit of getting your head around.

"It is quite nice having somewhere to go where people are going through the same thing as you. They understand what you're going through.

"There's also the support you get from the counsellors and breast care nurses there who know about the medical side of things."

Mrs King said she felt 'really privileged' to be able to access the Haven in Hereford, with some patients having to travel some distance to receive support from the centre.

"The more money they can raise then they can reach out to more people in various parts of the country," she said.

"Having to travel when you are having treatment is hard in itself so for me, having it local was great as it means you can go in, have a session and then go home.

"They can't carry on if they don't get donations so it's critical for people to help. There's so many people being diagnosed with it [breast cancer] that there's going to be more and more pressure and it's so useful that it's important to do it [donate].

"It's a whole network of stuff that goes on in that building and it's just a nice place. It's a little oasis of calm."

The money keeps coming in for our One in Eight appeal and we have now reached the £24,000 mark. This week The Hereford Lions Club pledged £500 and the Cawley Eye Dance Group donated £247 from money raised at its dance held on September 5.

J Baldwin donated £50 this week and Nick Eaton has sent in £75 from his August wages. The 16-year-old promised to donate half of his wages for August and September to the appeal.

THE Haven is holding a fayre at Flanesford Priory in Goodrich on September 29 from 9.30am to 4pm. There will be more than 20 stalls offering all sorts, for all people, for all occasions. Entry is £5 per person and guests can pre-book a two course lunch with a glass of wine for £20. There are two sittings- 12noon or 1.30pm. To book lunch email: flanesfordfayre@gmail.com.