Tooting MP Dr Rosena Allin-Khan has official unveiled St George’s Hospital Charity’s new room for teenagers and young people with cancer.

The Teenage and Young Adult (TYA) Room in the Ruth Myles Unit was funded with the help of donations, including £20,000 from community group Furzedown FACE.

Young people can meet, do a range of activities such as play games and watch TV, or simply relax and chill out.

It is also an area for a specialist nurse to provide both emotional and medical support, as well as therapeutic activities.

Dr Allin-Khan visited both patients and staff, as well as members from the community group Furzedown FACE, with chief executive of St George’s Jacqueline Totterdell cutting a ribbon to mark its opening.

She said: “The Tooting community is proud of its hospital and this opening shows how much love and regard there is from the local area. It’s a symbol of how people come together locally, organise, and make a positive difference to the lives of others.

“I’m incredibly proud as a local resident and clinician to know that teenagers and young adults with cancer are benefiting from this wonderful space – somewhere to have time away from the wards and a place that local people have spent over five years fundraising for.”

A member of Furzedown FACE whose daughter was treated for cancer at St George’s ten years ago was the one who came up with the idea of raising money for a new room.

Whilst the then-16-year-old was provided with medical care, she was treated on an adult ward and the environment she was in affected her emotional wellbeing even after treatment had finished.

A spokesperson for Furzedown FACE said: "We’re delighted that the chill-out room for young people with cancer has opened at St George’s. This has only been possible thanks to the support of Furzedown neighbours, schools, charities, businesses, friends, and local MPs Sadiq Khan and Rosena Allin-Khan.

“We have held many events, including our popular FACE quiz nights, garden gigs, Arthur Smith’s comedy night, valuation days and The FACE Ball and we look forward to finding out how we can continue to support this new and much needed room in future.”

St George’s consultant Mr Nicholas Hyde said: "Having their own dedicated chill-out area can only have a positive effect on teenagers and young people’s recovery during their treatment stays and visits to St George’s Hospital.”

Noel Cramer, director of fundraising for St George’s Hospital Charity, said: “A huge thank you to all those who have made this possible, especially Furzedown FACE who have worked tirelessly over the past five years, raising more than £20,000.

"This room will make a real difference for young people with cancer and illustrates the power of local communities to make an impact at their local hospital.”