AN Ipswich based charity is today celebrating 15 years of providing expert care for people living with serious illnesses and conditions.Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry has been helping people get the best from their lives since 1994 and remains the only charity that specialises in directly caring for people with long term neurological conditions throughout their lives.

AN Ipswich based charity is today celebrating 15 years of providing expert care for people living with serious illnesses and conditions.

Sue Ryder Care - The Chantry has been helping people get the best from their lives since 1994 and remains the only charity that specialises in directly caring for people with long term neurological conditions throughout their lives.

The Chantry cares for people's needs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, whether they be medical, social, psychological or spiritual.

Kevin Clements, area fundraising manager, explained how the charity helps put back the dignity, independence and confidence that have been taken away from someone's life.

He said: “We're here to make sure that people who are not going to get better can still enjoy the best quality of life for as long as they live.

“When someone you love is seriously ill, our compassionate, expert carers will help them enjoy the best life they can in the time they have.”

At The Chantry, around 75 full and part time trained staff and volunteers provide care for people living with conditions including cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and brain injury.

There is also a supported living bungalow in Bixley Road - the first of its kind - for residents who find it easier to look after themselves.

In the UK, approximately 11 million people are affected by these complex conditions and one in three people will be affected by cancer at some stage in their lives.

The Chantry was in a state of disrepair when before Sue Ryder moved in and a couple of million pounds was needed to get it up to scratch.

Now the building, set in the beautiful grounds of Chantry Park, has a respite day care centre service as well as room for 30 residents, ranging from 18 to 35-years-old.

Mr Clements said: “Most of the Sue Ryder homes are in similar locations. The downside is that it's a listed building and we can't do anything to modify it for the care we provide.

“We're a relatively new fundraising team but we have been going for a year and are starting to make headway with events like the midnight walk which we hope will become an annual event.

The Chantry is mainly government funded but at least �200,000 must still be raised each year for centre to keep going.

�15 is all it takes to keep someone with Multiple Sclerosis free from pain for a month.

�20 will cover the cost of a nurse's tunic

�100 will cover the cost of a nurse's shift per day

�320 will cover the cost of a bed per day in one of Sue Ryder Care's hospices

�500 will cover the daily cost of medical and therapy supplies to all hospices

On April 18 The Chantry's annual Midnight Walk is back. Hundreds of women will get glowing all night for Ready, Steady, Glow - a ten kilometre walk starting at Gala Bingo which will include a moonlit lap of the park.

To find out more call 01473 295200 or email chantry.fundraising@suerydercare.org

Terry Cross, 62, has been working at The Chantry since it opened 15 years ago.

The physio technical instructor said: “I started here as a care assistant in March 1994. After about nine months a position opened for a physio assistant and I've been involved in it ever since.

“Helping the residents and improving their lives is the best part of my job. We try to keep them as mobile as possible through various exercises.

“Some can tell us what they need and others are unable to but we have many ways of communicating - it may just be an eye movement which has come to mean yes or no.

“I get to work in a friendly happy environment. The one thing you notice when you walk in the building is the laughter.

“Staff and residents get on very well together. I'll miss everyone when it's time for me to leave.”