Images have been released of a new £1.5 million cancer centre planned for East Surrey hospital.

The East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre represents a collaboration between Macmillan, Surrey and Sussex NHS trust and the Crawley based Olive Tree Cancer Support Centre and is scheduled to open at the end of 2015.

The artist impression of the state-of-the-art centre evokes an open and friendly ambiance that will greet patients and their families, designed to provide all-round support in a calm, non-clinical environment.

Designed by experts and cancer-sufferers, the Centre will offer patients and their families a wide range of community-based holistic and support services designed to allow those affected by cancer to live their lives as well as possible.

Jane Penny, Lead Cancer Nurse for Surrey & Sussex NHS Trust said: “It’s fantastic to see these images, which is a step towards bringing the centre to life. It shows the peaceful and friendly place that our cancer patients, their family and friends will soon be able to attend to receive the support they need.”

The opening of the centre ends the need for patients to take a 20 mile round trip to the nearest cancer support centre in Crawley, or even being forced to travel further afield to Guildford or Purley.

Ele Denman, 41, from Reigate who was diagnosed with Ovarian and uterine cancer in February 2014 said: “There were times that I could not get to the Olive Tree due to distance, and those were the times I struggled.”

“To have a centre locally is something very necessary. The benefits for many will be invaluable- for the patients, their families, and carers, who will have the opportunity to tap into these resources, because cancer touches not only the patients but all of those around them.”

To get involved and help raise money to build The East Surrey Macmillan Cancer Support Centre please call the Macmillan Surrey fundraising office on 0300 1000 200 or email fundraising@macmillan.org.uk.