The lifeline which Emma Neville and her husband Gary have taken to their hearts
01.04.2023 - 16:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Four years ago Emma Neville knocked on the door of a charity asking for help. She was training to be a counsellor but needed a placement to achieve her aim.
The manager of Bury Cancer Support Centre, Jan Katana, decided to give her a chance. Now, Emma, the wife of ex-United and England star, Gary, is repaying their faith in her.
She and her husband are backing an appeal by the centre to raise £20,000 to mark its 20th anniversary, and Emma now works every week for the charity as a volunteer.
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Emma told the Manchester Evening News: "In 2019 I was training to be a counsellor but needed to do 100 hours with clients. I had one placement but needed another. I knocked on their door and asked for one. I had a chat with Jan about a little room. She called me back that next day and said 'we'll give it a go'.
"From that I was able to qualify as a counsellor and now offer my services as a volunteer every Wednesday at the centre. It is incredible that they have been going for 20 years without any government funding - just relying on donations. It is a family-like environment, there is such a lovely vibe. Everyone supports each other.
"I feel honoured to be able to help, and see about three clients each time I go. To know, in a difficult time, you can go there and get a cup of tea, talk, and receive therapies is so invaluable and cancer can happen to any of us - but their door is always open. I know that they have even called people at midnight.
"That they have reached 20 years is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the staff. They serve many people beyond Bury, all over the northwest. I have had clients