A new Centre will help The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre enter our next stage of life on a firm footing and able to support even more people impacted by cancer. For this to become a reality and for our visitors – and their friends and family – to continue benefiting from the support we provide, we have set a goal of raising £150,000 during 2025.

These funds will enable Pickering to move into a new home and transform it into the cosy, warm and welcoming space we are currently so proud of at 27 Monson Road.

“We love our current home but, over these past few years, we have really outgrown it,” says Caroline McGibney, Centre Manager. “It would be wonderful to have more space for our visitors and dedicated offices for our team, as well as additional – and more accessible – therapy rooms, so we can offer a wider variety of treatments.”

We will be holding a number of events in 2025 but are also encouraging the community to support us. To raise funds for our ‘Key to the Door’ campaign, visit JustGiving:

Steve and Brenda completed their fabulous year with a traditional putt-out, followed by the new captains, Darren Mills and Julie Edwards, showing their skills driving off.

Our Deputy Chair, Angela Ward, was on hand to accept the enormous cheque and was delighted to learn that Darren and Julie will be supporting Pickering during 2025.

We are so grateful!

A huge Pickering ‘thank you’ Leigh!

Named after the late local oncologist, Dr David Pickering, our Centre provides a safe, friendly and homely space for anyone impacted by cancer, as well as their friends and family.

Pickering originally opened its doors on Friday 26 November 2004 at the Homeopathic Hospital in Tunbridge Wells and, as the need for our services grew, we moved to our current home in Monson Road in July 2007.

Danielle brings with her extensive charity experience. Through Create Balance, which is based just outside Tunbridge Wells, she provides Finance Director (FD) services to a regional air ambulance charity as well as previously being the FD of a Maidstone-based drug and alcohol charity.

“My experience isn’t just finance, as I’ve led on HR, IT and Estates – which has given me a wealth of experience and an all-round strategic view of how charities run to better service their primary mission,” says Danielle, who was born and raised in Tunbridge Wells and attended Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School (TWGGS).

She began her finance career as an apprentice in a local accountancy practice before heading for the bright lights of London. Danielle then found herself back in Tunbridge Wells in 2004 working for a local export business, before launching her own practice in 2013.
Today, Danielle lives in Tunbridge Wells with her partner Andrew, their daughter Emily and two dogs, Baxter and Barney.

“Pickering is a charity close to my heart and I’ve wanted to be part of it for some time,” says Danielle. “In 2022, I lost a very dear friend to cancer and she had cared a lot about the charity, even before she was ill. To continue to see it thrive and help so many others will be part of her legacy. To serve as part of the Pickering board and be given the opportunity to shape the future of the charity, is nothing short of a privilege.”

Our Board also includes Chair, David Bartholomew, Angela Ward, Karen Dodd, Chris Maslin, Richard Moore, Dr Rema Jyothirmayi and Dr Jonathan Angel.

“We are delighted to welcome Danielle to the Pickering board,” says David Bartholomew. “As well as bringing a wide understanding of the charity sector, she has seen first hand the support Pickering gives to people with cancer and their family and friends.”

Karen then moved back to customer service, where she managed a department responsible for customer service audit, quality assurance, data protection, vulnerable customers and complaint management.

“I enjoyed my career there and met some great colleagues,” Karen says. “Then, two years ago, I became a full-time self-employed mental health counsellor, which I find extremely rewarding.”

She first visited Pickering 15 years ago, as part of a company charity day, clearing our garden and helping with decorating. Since then, Karen has volunteered at the Centre for the last six and half years, as a mental health counsellor.

“The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre is an amazing place with amazing people and provides support and sanctuary for so many,” Karen says. “The energy and atmosphere are unique and I feel very passionate about the environment Pickering offers. I wanted to become a trustee to support Pickering, as I understand the ethos, the benefit of and need for the Centre.”

In her spare time, Karen walks a lot with her husband Tim and whippet Rodney and likes to explore different places in the UK.

“My treatment was absolutely horrendous but then it came to an end and I was lost,” says Paul. “I felt I was still playing a waiting game and there was no help out there and nobody to talk to. Then a friend told me about Pickering and, to be honest, the support I’ve received here has been my ‘saving grace’.”

He continues: “This place is like a ‘great big cuddle’ when you really need it. And it’s not just the volunteers who support us; talking to other visitors makes a difference too. Everyone here is on their own personal journey but just sharing what we are going through together really helps.”

Paul is keen to give back to Pickering and, as a singer and musician, has found friends in the music industry who have donated guitars for our visitors to enjoy. His band has also played at our events, while he’s currently giving guitar lessons to some of our visitors.

“Pickering is my safe space, where I feel I can be as open and honest as I want,” he says. “Cancer can be horrific and upsetting but visiting Pickering provides a distraction and there’s always somebody here for me. Everyone has been amazing and I come in whenever I can. But, it’s not all doom and gloom, we have a laugh together, which is really important.”