LIVING with cancer is about to become a whole lot better following this week's official launch of Move More Borders.

The pioneering scheme, which has been successfully rolled out across much of the country, is designed for people affected by cancer.

Throughout last year Macmillan Cancer Support and Live Borders, under the co-ordination of Charlotte Young, devised and built up a programme of activities.

As well as walking groups there are gentle movement sessions, aquarobics and gardening groups.

On Monday Move More Borders was officially launched at Tweedbank.

Health and exercise professionals gave their backing to the scheme which already has its fair share of success stories.

And it is now hoped the programme of activities will grow as uptake increases.

Macmillan Nurse Consultant at Borders General Hospital Judith Smith told us: "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.”

Many of the volunteers and service users were in attendance at Monday's launch.

Retired PE teacher Brenda Roberts from Darnick is a walk leader around the Tweedbank and Galashiels area.

Every Wednesday she will lead her small group for a gentle stroll through picturesque woodlands and countryside.

Brenda said: "Every walk is tailored to the service users. We started the walks last year and people have benefitted greatly.

"There was one service user who wasn't sure about exercise following her treatment for cancer but she benefitted from the walks and after four weeks had moved on to aquarobics.

"I was already a Walk It leader when I heard Macmillan were looking for volunteers to take their walks."

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

Macmillan and Live Borders have forged the partnership to make sure activities are available for everyone affected by cancer.

The walks and exercise sessions, which are all free of charge, not only help people cope with the side effects of treatment, but also provide an opportunity to meet others in a similar situation.

Retired oil worker Charlie Sim became involved after his wife was diagnosed with cancer last year.

He now leads walks around his hometown of Peebles as well as taking gentle movement classes, which are based on breathing, blood flow and relaxation, at Tweedbank.

During Monday's launch 56-year-old Charlie said: "The good thing about all of the activities is that we don't talk about each person's health journey - this is all about looking forward.

"Cancer support in the Borders is excellent. The support of Borders General Hospital is as good as you could get, Macmillan are tremendous, and now we also have Move More with Charlotte which has been beneficial for a lot of people already.

"The walks are enjoyable and once people start to do the gentle movement classes they soon reap the benefits."

Noeline Hughes from Hawick nursed her husband through bladder cancer until his death seven years ago.

The 60-year-old was later diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014, undergoing a lumpectomy and radiotherapy.

Noeline, who is a former hotel receptionist, now volunteers for walks and gentle movement classes.

She told us: "This has made such a big difference in my life.

"I have seen from both sides what living with cancer is like.

"Our activities are for people who have or are recovering from cancer as well as their partners or carers. It can benefit anyone affected by cancer.

“When I did a walk in Hawick I asked one of the participants if it was useful.

"He said he enjoyed it... he wouldn’t have come out on a Saturday, he would have just sat in his house if it wasn’t for the class.”

Survival rates from cancer increase every year.

And more and more survivors can now expect to return to normal lives after their treatments.

The inclusion of exercise as part of treatment and recovery has both health and social benefits.

Macmillan Partnership Manager Nisreen Badiozzaman explained: “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.”

Norman Suddon from Hawick was diagnosed with myeloma four years ago.

The 73-year-old was treated at the Borders General Hospital, the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and Hawick Community Hospital and is still undergoing regular chemotherapy treatment.

The retired hosiery worker, who was also a retained firefighter, has been taking part in weekly Move More sessions since September.

Norman explained: "I was on life support a couple of times because my body was shutting down.

“I lost about four-and-a-half stone and had to come back from that.

"You get a good feeling after you’ve done the classes... you get a wee buzz in your body. Macmillan are first class. They are just great.”

As well as co-employing a co-ordinator for the scheme, Live Borders have also opened up facilities across the region for the free classes and sessions.

Chief Executive Ewan Jackson told Monday's launch he was delighted Live Borders were involved with More More.

He 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.”

Move More Borders is free of charge and available to anyone in the region living with and beyond cancer as well as their supporters.

Kevan Sanderson, who is a Health Improvement Lead with NHS Borders, is backing the scheme.

He told us: "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.”

To find out more about local walks and sessions call the Move More Borders team on 01896 661166 ext 311 or email movemore@liveborders.org.uk

Information packs are also available from www.macmillan.org.uk/movemore