A cancer charity has been given a lifeline after funding that was set to be cut was saved.
Cancercareline is an independent charity that provides 24 hour advice to cancer patients and carers in Caerphilly County Borough.
Caerphilly County Borough Council planned to cut £19,000 of support for the charity which, combined with a cut by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB), would have resulted in a £30,000 loss.
The council and ABUHB claimed that Cancercareline offered duplicate services with Macmillan, but representatives of the charity argued Macmillan simply directed patients and carers to them.
At a meeting arranged by Blackwood Labour councillor Nigel Dix, ABHB agreed to reinstate £12,000 worth of funding, while Caerphilly council offered £13,000. This has now been increased to £15,000.
Cllr Dix said: “Without the funding Cancercareline could not operate.
“I know money is tight but at the end of the day we have to do what’s right.
“If the statutory sector is shrinking we have to support the voluntary sector, we now need to be helping them secure funding from other sources.”
Allan Rees, Labour councillor for Blackwood, welcomed the charity continuing to provide a local service.
Cllr Rees said: “I think localism and having that link to the community the person is situated in is really important. That’s what Cancercareline offers as apposed to a national helpline.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: “Following recent discussions both Caerphilly County Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board will continue to fund Cancercareline until March 31 2015. This will allow a full review and evaluation of the service to be undertaken.”
ABUHB confirmed they will continue funding for 2014/15.