A NEW support group has been set up in Guiseley to help anyone who has been affected by cancer.

The group is aiming to give sufferers the chance to meet up and share information.

It has been set up by the Leeds West Affected By Cancer (ABC) group, which says being diagnosed with the disease can be "a scary and lonely place".

Organisers hope the new group will help people across Wharfedale and the surrounding areas to feel less isolated.

A statement from the organisation said: "Until the ABC group was set up, patients could only get the support they needed by phoning charities like Macmillan or making often stressful journeys of up to ten miles to cancer support centres based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Skipton Cancer Support or St James Leeds.

"But a lack of funding and resources meant there were no local support groups to help patients, so the only option was to travel long distances when they were already ill.

"The group cuts out the need to make those unnecessary journeys by providing resource information locally and organising regular activities, including arts and crafts and meditation sessions. The self-funded and volunteer-run group has been awarded a small grant from Macmillan, which will help them offer even more support and activities in the future.

"New people are always welcome to bring someone along with them for some extra support, as the group understands it can be difficult to join a new group with people you don’t know."

The group meets every Tuesday at 6.30pm at the Hawkhill Social Club, which is at the bottom of Guiseley Morrison’s car park. The venue is close to Guiseley train station and bus routes connecting Guiseley, Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Otley, Ilkley, Shipley, Baildon, Yeadon, Rawdon and Horsforth.

Anyone interested in joining the weekly group should call 07471 750900 or e-mail Leedswestabc@aol.co.uk for more details. Leeds ABC also has a private Facebook group at Facebook.com/groups/cancerfightingwarriors that shares information and support.

This social club will hold a table-top sale in aid of the support group from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday. It will include a raffle, music and Christmas bargains. Call 01943 876355 after 4pm to book a table.