Plea for help as time ticks away for Help Harry Help Other Drop In Cancer Centre - The Solihull Observer

Plea for help as time ticks away for Help Harry Help Other Drop In Cancer Centre

Solihull Editorial 19th May, 2017   0

‘TIME is quickly ticking away’ to find a new home for the Help Harry Help Others Drop In Cancer Support Centre.

The centre’s two-year fixed term lease will come to an end on December 29 this year – with bulldozers due to demolish it and neighbouring vacant buildings shortly after to make way for housing developments.

Georgie Moseley – founder of the charity and mum of the late brave Harry Moseley who it is named after – is desperate to find new premises to carry on the amazing work.

And she is appealing to any Observer readers with land or property experience to get in touch and help her find the perfect new home.




The centre offers every type of support required outside of cancer treatment, including emotional support and counselling, debt and financial advice, bra and wig fitting, benefits advice, careers advice and self-esteem and confidence building.

There are also a number of support groups, workshops and social activities run by the charity, which relies on fundraising as it gets no Government funding.


Since it opened its doors in May 2015 the centre has offered advice and support to more than 300 patients and their families – 57 of those being welcomed for the first time since January 2017.

Speaking to the Observer this week, Georgie said: “I am immensely proud of the cancer centre, not just because of the impact we have made by supporting the cancer community, but also how it’s seen a whole community of local businesses come together.

“As a small cancer charity it’s been a real personal labour of love and I will be extremely sad to see all the hard work be demolished.

“However, I am a great believer in ‘things happening for a reason’ and I have to now focus on the future.”

Help Harry Help Others was the creation of inspirational Sheldon youngster Harry Moseley, who died in 2011 at the age of just 11 after a four-year battle with a brain tumour.

During his brave battle Harry began selling bracelets to raise money for Cancer Research UK – raising over £750,000 through bracelet sales and gaining the backing of many high-profile celebrities.

When Harry passed away his heartbroken mum Georgie and a team of friends took up the baton in his honour to maintain and grow Help Harry Help Others to help children and their families battling cancer.

The building, based on Meadway in Stechford, was offered to the charity with a two-year fixed term lease in 2015 by Birmingham City Council – without the option to renew.

Georgie was also given a nine-month extension to the lease by Birmingham City Council as a good will gesture while she hunts for new premises.

There are currently no set plans for what will become of the space and surrounding land when the centre closes on December 29.

Georgie added: “Our frustration is that while we knew we had initially a two year tenancy, the part of our land we are on is classed as an ‘overspill’ and there are no definitive plans of what will be in our place.

“However – time is ticking away quickly so we have to look at all options.”

Anyone with land or property experience who may be able to help her find the perfect new home for the centre to get in touch by e-mailing: [email protected] or calling 0121 783 5407.

* Don’t forget to nominate for your Harry’z Young Star Young Carer Award before May 31 as part of the Solihull Observer’s partnership with Help Harry Help Others.

This award is for an individual who cares for their family due to ill health, and or disability and has made many sacrifices in order to care for a family member.

Mail: [email protected] or call 0121 783 5407 for an application form.

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