He replaces Richard Moore, who is “passing on the baton” after six years in the role.
Run entirely by volunteers, Pickering helps around 3,000 people a year whose lives have been touched by cancer. The Monson Road charity provides emotional support for patients and their families, alongside a range of complementary therapies. It is open four days a week, and offers reflexology, reiki, healing and massage, along with nutritional advice, yoga and counselling, all free of charge.
David first became aware of the centre in 2004, while raising funds to keep the Homeopathic Hospital in Church Road open for one day a week.
He said: “It wasn’t until my own family was affected by cancer that I learned the true value of what the charity means to patients and their friends and family.
“The support my family received during that time was life-changing. It soon became evident that without the endless hours of care – given freely by volunteers and therapists – the story would have been a very different one.”
Since then he has been an active supporter of Pickering, and has been involved in many fundraising events. He created the charity’s website in 2014 and continues to maintain it, and freely donates his photographic services.
In 2016 he was invited to become a Trustee of the charity and became more actively involved, taking on the role of Deputy Chairman soon after.
Pickering achieved one of its major long-term goals, purchasing its Monson Road home, in November last year – completing the purchase from the Council in the week of its 15th birthday.
After successfully guiding the charity to this milestone, it was an appropriate time for Richard Moore to stand down. David was asked by co-founder Polly Taylor, and Richard, to take on the position.
David added: “As the Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre moves into its next phase, I feel privileged to be working with some incredible people.
“I am looking forward to continuing working with this very unique and special charity.”
Born and raised in Tunbridge Wells, David has received wide acclaim for his photography and also founded The Tunbridge Wells Project, a community website that focuses on the changing architecture in and around the town.
“We are extremely lucky to have someone such as David, who shares the views and values of the charity,” said Richard, who remains as a Trustee.
“He has given his time and energy to Pickering over the years and played a key role in developing the charity, aside from being its unpaid ‘official’ photographer… This seems a fitting moment to pass on the baton.”
For more information, visit pickeringcancercentre.org.uk
