TUCKED away in a corner of a Worcester industrial estate is a small team of hard-working and dedicated individuals who are quietly changing the lives of thousands of people - yet very few people in the city are even aware of their existence.

Leukaemia CARE is a national charity, based in Blackpole, giving year round care to the 24,500 people - including 50 in Worcestershire - who are diagnosed every year in this country with leukaemia, lymphoma or any allied blood disorder.

Yet despite their relatively low profile, the charity has actually been growing for some time and, this year, is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

But it has come a long way since its humble beginnings in a shed in Exeter.

"Leukaemia CARE started off as a few parents of children affected by leukaemia getting together to form a support group," Lyndsay Berryman, the charity's PR and marketing manager, said.

"But, as it grew, it was decided to move it to a more central location, which turned out to be Worcester."

Seven years ago the small team moved to Restdale House, opposite Worcester Crown Court, before they moved to a slightly grander head office in Shrubbery Avenue, with a satellite office in Shrub Hill Road.

But this year has seen a significant shift. In July, the charity bought One Birch Court in Blackpole East and, for the first time, it brought everyone under one roof to offer improved communication to patients, carers and healthcare support teams. The service the charity is most proud of is its 24-hour CARE line - and it has every right to be.

Since its launch 16 years ago, the line not only fields more than 210 calls per week, but it also offers a service that is unique among all cancer charities in Europe.

From the new premises, the dedicated CARE Line team of four part-time and one full-time member of staff and CARE Line volunteers provide a round-the-clock service listening to patients and carers' calls and helping them wherever possible, 365 days a year.

Eve Martin, the charity's national care and support manager, said this help and support had different forms.

"Often the team is providing a listening ear, or befriending a caller," she said.

"Sometimes the caller is requesting information or literature about a particular condition, or maybe advice on welfare or benefits that are available to them."

To fund its work, Leukaemia CARE relies completely on public donations and fund-raising - and of course, the generosity of a network of volunteers across the country who are constantly working to expand the number of support groups nationwide.

Of course, as the charity continues to grow, more volunteers are needed.

Eve said that no matter what the skills or time available, Leukaemia CARE can use and develop volunteers' talents.

"They may give support too through home and hospital visits or by organising a local fund-raising event," she added.

Not content with the service they already provide, now the team has settled into their new home, it means they can begin to focus on offering additional services to local patients and carers.

Chief executive Tony Gavin is planning a drop-in care centre which will include treatment rooms.

"We also have the space to implement a training facility for staff, volunteers and junior grade haemotology staff and other NHS professionals," he said.

For further information on Leukaemia CARE, call the free 24-hour CARE Line on 0800 1696680, or to find out about becoming a volunteer, call 01905 755977 or visit www.leukaemiacare.org.uk

LEUKAEMIA: THE FACTS

Leukaemia can be split into four key types: acute and chronic myeloid leukaemia, and acute and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

Leukaemias can be split into two categories: Hodgkin's Disease and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. There are then 30 subsequent sub-categories.

As a general rule, cancers predominantly affect older people. Two exceptions to this however are acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which is most common in young children, and Hodgkin's lymphoma which has a higher incidence in young adults.

Men are more likely to suffer from almost all forms of leukaemia, lymphoma and allied blood disorders than women.

Increasing numbers of people are surviving leukaemia and other blood related disorders, while other patients are living longer with the illness under control.

Six per cent of all cancers are cancers of the blood - leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Leukaemia is the most common cancer to affect children, but the disease has no age restrictions

Survival for the most common type of childhood leukaemia (acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) is almost 80 per cent

Fifty per cent of all cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma (a leukaemia related illness) are diagnosed in people under 40 years old.