DOZENS of cancer sufferers across the Borders are feeling the benefits of a pioneering exercise project.

And following next week's official launch it is hoped many more will pull on their trainers and walking shoes to take part in the Move More Borders programme.

Charlie Sim from Peebles became a volunteer with Move More Borders last March after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.

As well as supporting one of the walking groups he has also leads a gentle movement class.

Charlie, who is a retired operations manager with a global oil company, told the Peeblesshire News: "I wanted to understand it better and I also wanted to find a way to give something back for all the support we have had and are still getting."

The 56-year-old underwent training with Macmillan which he says has given him new skills and more understanding of the services available in the community.

Charlie added: “From a volunteer’s point of view, if you’ve got somebody who’s gone through cancer, it’s very helpful to get involved because you get a better understanding of what’s available.

“We didn’t know about half the stuff and when we looked at different websites we often got conflicting information.

“It’s a couple of hours a week giving something back.

"Just to hear someone saying 'thanks for doing this.... this has really helped me’, that’s why you do this.

"You’re getting something back yourself but if you can help somebody do something a wee bit different, then that’s what it’s all about.”

Macmillan Cancer Support has invested more than £130,000 to develop Move More Borders in partnership with Live Borders.

The programme includes walking groups, gardening activities, gentle movement sessions and circuits-based activity classes.

Extensive research has shown that being active during and after treatment is both safe and hugely beneficial.

Macmillan Partnership Manager Nisreen Badiozzaman told us: “Traditionally people have been told that rest was best and while it is right to rest at certain times, it is also really beneficial to get moving too.

"Research shows that being active during and after treatment can not only help with the side effects but also reduce the loneliness and isolation many people feel.

“We realise people may feel nervous about building up their activity levels, particularly if it’s for the first time after treatment or if they haven’t been very active for a while, which is why Macmillan is working with Live Borders to provide this programme specifically for those affected by cancer.”

The activities, which are all free of charge, help people cope with the side effects of treatment and also provide an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation to help reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation.

An official launch of Move More Borders takes place on Monday at Tweedbank Indoor Bowling centre.

Ewan Jackson, Chief Executive of Live Borders, said: “Improving the health and wellbeing of people in the Scottish Borders is the key aim of Live Borders.

"Building partnerships and working together with charitable organisations like Macmillan enables us to reach many more people and gives us the opportunity to focus on those with specific needs, like those facing a cancer diagnosis.

"The evidence of the health benefit of increased physical activity, even at a gentle level, is mounting and it is encouraging to see exercise being used the help those facing cancer.”

Research predicts that 260,000 people will be living with a cancer diagnosis in Scotland by 2020.

NHS Borders Health Improvement lead officer Kevan Sanderson said: “NHS Borders is delighted to support this important initiative.

"The Borders Move More programme is a great opportunity to enable local people affected by cancer to gain the many benefits from becoming more physically active.”

Macmillan nurse consultant Judith Smith, who is based at Borders General Hospital, added: “It is great to have a resource like this locally to refer people to and it fits well with other services we are working to deliver particularly around support after treatment.

"Often people struggle with confidence after being diagnosed with cancer and this type of programme not only benefits their physical health but can boost self-confidence too.”