Bury St Edmunds man Ronnie Farmer is running fitness classes for Suffolk men with cancer diagnosis

A Bury St Edmunds man is encouraging men in Suffolk to access cancer support so they 'don’t suffer in silence'.

Ronnie Farmer is working with Macmillan and West Suffolk Hospital to provide fitness classes to men with a cancer diagnosis.

They currently run at Abbeycroft Leisure's Bury St Edmunds Leisure Centre and Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury and are designed to help men before, during and after cancer treatment to help them recover as quickly as possible, both physically and emotionally.

Although 51 per cent of all cancer diagnoses are in men, they make up less than a third of all calls to Macmillan’s support line. The charity is on a mission to change this and ensure that everyone who needs support receives it.

Ronnie said: "It’s important for men to access help and support. It doesn’t always come naturally for us to open up, but it’s important we don’t suffer in silence.

"These classes are designed for men at any stage of their cancer journey to improve strength, stamina and movement.

"The fitter someone is, the more chance they have of dealing well with treatment and recovery.

"Mental wellbeing is also important. The classes give men the chance to join others in a similar situation, to be part of a social group and know they’re not alone.”

People can be referred for the exercise classes by the Macmillan Information Centre at West Suffolk Hospital. Call 01284 713023 or email cancer.infocentre@wsh.nhs.uk

Ronnie added: “It’s about having a fit body and a fit mind and I’d urge men in particular to access the support Macmillan offers.”

Advisers at Macmillan can help callers find the right information and support in their local area, including groups like Ronnie’s. They can put people in touch with a range of specialist services including energy advice, financial support and cancer nurses. They also offer emotional support.

All advice is tailored to the needs of each person who contacts the support line, so that they receive guidance on whatever matters to them most.

The Macmillan Support Line is free to call on 0808 808 00 00. Lines are open between 8am and 8pm.

The Macmillan Information Centre at West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds is open 9am – 4.30pm for people to drop in or to call the team on 01284 713023.