An inspirational Fishguard woman, diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer last March, is setting up a drop-in centre so other in a similar situation don’t have to face the disease alone.

The idea for a cancer drop-in centre came to Yvonne Pye after a visit to her GP around two months ago.

“I came out of the doctors one day and I just didn’t want to go and sit indoors on my own,” said Yvonne, who used to work in Redhill School Haverfordwest, as well as as a foster carer.

“When you have been working full time it can be a shock to the system to go from being active to doing nothing and suddenly being stuck indoors.

“I put a post on Facebook asking if therapists would be prepared to give an hour of their time a month for free. I had such a big response I thought I would start to see if a drop in centre was viable.”

The 55-year-old grandmother was offered the old solicitor’s office in West Street for a peppercorn rent. Together with a band of committed volunteers she is busy transforming the building into the Rainbow Cancer Support Centre which it is hoped will be open early next year.

The centre will house therapy and reflection rooms and a communal sitting areas. It hopes to offer complementary therapies, yoga, workshops, counselling, information and advice for those diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers.

“There will be things to keep people going and active,” said Yvonne. “If you feel sorry for yourself your immune system goes down.

“I need to do this to keep going and if I can help other people that’s great.”

Since her initial Facebook post Yvonne has been overwhelmed by the response from the local community; she has been given financial support and donations of money, furniture, time and DIY equipment.

“The response has been fantastic,” said Yvonne. "I just can’t believe how people have been so supportive. It just seems to have snowballed.”

To support the centre contact Yvonne via the Facebook page or pop into the building at 19 West Street, Fishguard.