The North Cyprus Cancer Charity Trust

(NCCCT)

Registered Charity Number: F2-671850

By Chris Elliott

We are delighted to be able to share with all of our readers the following information about the North Cyprus Cancer Charity Trust and the work they have been doing for so many years in supporting the fight against cancer.

The North Cyprus Cancer Charity Trust (NCCCT) was formed in the late 1980s at a time when there were very few charities on the island. Its founder member was the late Revd Canon Arthur Rider, who served at St Andrew’s Church, Girne.

Over the years, the NCCCT has continued to flourish and has provided much‑needed medical equipment specifically to help cancer patients in Girne State Hospital and Lefkoşa State Hospital. However, other patients can also benefit from some of the equipment purchased by the NCCCT. An example of this is the cardiac equipment; cancer patients are given priority but it remains available for everyone’s use.

In 2013, the NCCCT were particularly pleased to present Girne State Hospital with a digital dermatoscopy system, namely a MoleMax, which is an essential tool for attempting early diagnosis of melanoma. So far this year the NCCCT has presented a piece of eye equipment and a piece of surgical equipment to Girne State Hospital.

Regular fundraising events are held by the NCCCT. These include a monthly coffee morning, usually held at a well‑known hotel or restaurant. Premises are used free of charge and often the venue will provide tea/coffee and cakes, for which the NCCCT is always grateful.

The NCCCT’s second‑hand shops in Girne sell clothes, books, bric‑a‑brac and household items. The Hut, situated behind Girne Post Office, is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12 noon. Heartbeat, situated in the old Girne hospital, is open on Mondays, Tuesday, Thursdays and

NCCCTmembers present Molemax to Dr Beyoglu and Fatma Deniz

Fridays from 9.30am to 1pm. The Hut and Heartbeat are both staffed by volunteers and the NCCCT rely on the generosity of the general public for providing donations.

A bingo session is held every Sunday at The Lodge in Ҫatalköy and a quiz night is held every Thursday at The Lodge in Ҫatalköy.

All members of the NCCCT Committee are volunteers and no expenses are paid, meaning that every penny raised can be used to buy vital equipment. The hospital will request a specific piece of equipment and the purchase is subsequently dealt with directly through the supplier and the NCCCT’s bank.

The NCCCT acknowledges that without the kindness and generosity of the general public, and the dedication of its team of volunteers, it would be unable to contribute to the health and welfare of the people of this country.

For further information about the NCCCT, please contact the chairperson, Angela Hasman, on 0533 865 0758 or email nccctrust@gmail.com.