A CHARITY has expanded into premises five times the size of its previous home and has named its new headquarters in memory of its patron – the much-loved agony aunt Denise Robertson.

FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together) has moved into new premises in Swalwell, near the MetroCentre, Gateshead, which serves as its main support, advice and education centre, as well as its head office.

As a result of its move into the two-storey building, previously occupied by housebuilder Persimmon, FACT has been able to expand its range of classes and offering to individuals, families and loved ones who have been affected by cancer.

It marks the latest stage of growth for the charity, which from being founded in 2008 on Team Valley, now employs five full-time staff, supported by a core of volunteers, and works across the region.

And in a fitting tribute to its Sunderland-born patron, who passed away in April aged 83 after a brief battle with cancer, FACT has named its new home Denise Robertson House in her honour.

Joanne Smith, who founded FACT after her own battle with breast cancer to help increase the levels of support available to cancer sufferers and their loved ones, said said: “Denise has been a friend, support and inspiration to me since the day she agreed to be a patron of FACT, and we had wanted to name our new home in her honour, rather than in her memory.

“It was decided well before she died that we wanted the building to be named Denise Robertson House in tribute to all the time and effort she dedicated to us, although it makes me very sad that we never got to tell her that. We are devastated that she is no longer here, but her legacy will live on with the charity."