DAME Norma Major was at two launches to help carers this week. One is a new scheme linking Macmillan Cancer Support with West Anglia Crossroads to help people caring for relatives with cancer. The other project, officially opened by Dame Norma, was a new

DAME Norma Major was at two launches to help carers this week. One is a new scheme linking Macmillan Cancer Support with West Anglia Crossroads to help people caring for relatives with cancer.

The other project, officially opened by Dame Norma, was a new conservatory at The Laurels respite home for disabled or ill children in Huntingdon.

The Macmillan Crossroads Cancer and Palliative Care Service in Huntingdonshire held a breakfast event yesterday (Tuesday) to raise awareness of the support it can offer to cancer sufferers and their families.

Peggy Meredith, Macmillan development manager for Anglia said: "The needs of carers are rarely considered, let alone met, so often a carer can become a forgotten figure, feeling isolated, stressed and anxious

"This valuable service gives carers the help and support they need to live as normal a life as possible."

The scheme is a joint project of West Anglia Crossroads and Macmillan Cancer Support who provided £288,000 to set up the service. The money will provide a full-time Macmillan Crossroads carer manager and five care support workers. The scheme will be managed by West Anglia Crossroads.

Dr Helen Brown, chief executive of West Anglia Crossroads Caring for Carers said: "We are delighted to be the expert partner chosen to provide this service. Too often carers' needs are overlooked until the health of the person they are caring for is really deteriorating."

Dame Norma Major was at The Laurels respite home on Monday to officially open the home's new conservatory. It was built after extensive fundraising efforts by The Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle and other clubs.

The conservatory, costing £25,000 will serve as a dining room for the children and somewhere they can play.

Sarah Hughes, county manager for acute and community paediatric services said: "We are delighted. It has provided us with much needed space for the children to share their mealtimes together. It is also large enough for children to play in and enjoy the garden from within the warmth and comfort of the new building."

Patrick Curran, for the Rotary Club of Kimbolton Castle said: "Members of the Kimbolton Castle, Huntingdon, Hinchingbrooke and St Ives clubs took part in numerous and very varied activities to raise this magnificent sum.

"This is an excellent example of how, by working together local rotary clubs could design, fund and help project manage a conservatory that will be of great benefit to children and families in Cambridgeshire."

INFORMATION: If you need support from the Macmillan-West Anglia Crossroads service, call 0845 241 0954 or see www.westangliacrossroads.org.uk