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Jim Henderson

NEARLY £400,000 worth of benefits were passed on to local cancer victims, thanks to the work of two advisers.

Funded by Macmillan Cancer Support, the two advisers, Karen Gough and Jan Letchford, visit people diagnosed with cancer at the Royal United Hospital to offer advice on a number of issues including welfare rights.

They have seen nearly 300 people since the service was set up 18 months ago including Jim Henderson, 27, of Dilton Marsh.

Jim, who sadly died in January, was also given advice by Karen.

He was diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the oesophagus in July last year and Karen helped Jim and his partner Nick Pearce with claims for disabled living allowance and working tax credit.

Nick says Karen has been a pillar of support. He said: "She came to our home and made us feel that someone was looking out for us.

"Without her we wouldn't have known half of what was available to us. We were too overwhelmed with the illness and issues like eight lots of medication a day - she made everything happen.

"She has also stayed in touch with me since Jim's death to offer her support. It's an absolutely essential service."

Karen said: "A cancer diagnosis is devastating on its own, but combined with the financial worries that often follow due to reduced income the double whammy effect throws people into absolute panic.

"They are thrown into the unknown -a whirl of hospital visits and the black hole of a benefit system which is a complete mystery to them.

"Our role is to hold their hand through the latter to enable them to focus on the former."

The advisers don't just help people navigate the benefits system - they also offer help with managing debt, unemployment, housing problems and budgeting.

There are currently more than 40 Macmillan benefit advisers working across the UK.

6:20pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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