Reiki, massage, aromatherapy and reflexology on offer at complementary therapy taster day

THE stresses and strains of daily life were eased at a special annual event.

On Saturday, visitors arrived at a complementary therapy taster day stressed out and with aches and pains, but left relieved and relaxed.

Reiki, massage, aromatherapy and reflexology were just some of the treatments on offer at the 14th annual fundraising event, in aid of St Andrew's Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Most therapies on the day cost £5 for half-an-hour of treatment – after which most people claimed they would do it all again.

Steve Davis, of Grimsby, attended the event at the village hall with his wife and decided to try out a hand massage for the first time.

"I did not know what to expect but I would definitely recommend it to others now," the 59-year-old said.

"I suffer with arthritis in my hands and that massage really helped to ease my joints.

"I also had a go at the ear candling available but I have tried that before so knew what it was like.

"Complementary therapy is great, it is an easy way to help you relax.

"My wife Julie and I support cancer charities and raised more than £1,000 for Cancer Research UK on our wedding day."

Julie, 56, tried out a food intolerance testing kit and results shocked her.

She said: "I thought it would be interesting to see if I was eating anything I am not supposed to be and it turns out I am intolerant of crab.

"I never knew this before but the ironic thing is, I have taken a crab out of the freezer for tea tonight.

"I am all for complementary therapy, I had never tried it before this taster day but I would do it again."

As reported, originally this event was set up by four people in 1998.

Mary Wheatley and Barbara McKinnell still organise and participate in memory of the two other ladies and dear friends – Val Lee and Denise Ingamells – who lost their own cancer battles.

Now Debbie Scott and Andrea Herron help organise the fundraiser with Mary and Barbara.

Mary, of Cleethorpes, is an independent therapist and on the day made herself available to carry out reflexology.

She said: "We have had some very positive comments about the day and the turnout has been excellent.

"Some old faces came back but there were also people who turned out to try a therapy for the first time.

"Three ladies who had reflexology all said they would have it again.

"Last year we managed to raise enough money to give both St Andrew's Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care £800 each, I just hope this year we reach a similar amount.

"I want to thank all therapists who turned out to give their own free time to the event. We are very grateful for their support."

Jane Dale, of North Thorseby, was amazed at how relaxed she felt after trying a reiki treatment for the first time.

She said: "I cannot describe the feeling, all I know is that the half-an-hour taster session went really fast.

"I feel calm and content, I will be looking for where I can receive that therapy again and will tell others about it as well.

"The taster day is a very unique way of raising money and something which can generate a lot of interest from the public.

"Everyone knows someone affected by cancer so the event was for two very worthwhile causes."