Long Sutton Men's Shed praised for support of cancer patient
A member of Long Sutton Men's Shed has praised the group for the support given during months of gruelling cancer treatment.
The member, who does not want to be named, was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year which required him to attend the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital 37 times over an eight week period - a round trip of over 100 miles each time.
Frank Heinrich-Tiller, development and sponsorship co-ordinator for the Shed, said this member had lost his wife two years ago, which had turned his life upside down. A short while after the devastating loss he met Jack Tyrell, chairman of the Shed, who invited him to join, where he could meet up with other men in similar situations.
"The Shed was at that time in its infancy but after just a few visits our new prospective member signed up as a full member and has found it a life saver.
"He has said that fellow ‘Shedders’ have all been very supportive to him since he joined the Shed. Although he is not skilled in anything practical he just goes along to the Shed where the members are very welcoming and he drinks his tea or coffee and chats and has a laugh with fellow members, some who have now become friends, and all of whom he would not have normally met if it was not for the Shed.
"This member who wishes to remain anonymous, strongly maintains that the Shed and U3A have both proved to be good meeting places and their members are very supportive and he cannot thank them enough," said Frank.
He added: "Our member now wishes to thank his fellow members at both the Long Sutton Men’s Shed and U3A for their support, if needed, to accompanying him on some of his trips to Norwich his extensive radio therapy treatment has now been completed and he was pleased to ‘ring the bell’ at the clinic to signify the end of his 37 trips to the Norwich hospital."
Long Sutton Men's Shed is based at the Silverwood Nursery Centre, Browngate lane, and is open 9.30am to 1pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday mornings.
The Shed provides the means to help improve a member’s well-being and attending the Shed helps men to reduce their feelings of loneliness. Men of all ages are welcome to go along.