When Pat Leale underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer 12 years ago, she was grateful for the kindness of her nurse.

Back then, Jenny Walsh was a chemotherapy nurse at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Now, she is senior sister at the Loros day centre, in Manor Croft, Knighton, and continues to support Pat to this day.

The pair immediately recognised each other when 64-year-old Pat became a patient at the centre just over two years ago, and have been friends since.

Pat, who lives in Netherhall with her husband Roy, is supported by staff at the centre after cancer returned and spread to her bones.

She said she would not miss her weekly visits for the world.

"Coming here is the best thing I ever did," said Pat. "I was very low and didn't have any confidence whatsoever before.

"This is a place where you can make friends and talk about your cancer and people understand. Everyone here is lovely.

"I think if this place ever closed, we'd be chaining ourselves outside."

Pat thought she was free of cancer following chemotherapy, radiotherapy and, eventually, a mastectomy.

But doctors confirmed the worst five years ago.

The radiotherapy left her with lymphodoema, a side effect which led to swollen limbs.

Pat, a grandmother of five, receives treatment for the condition at the main Loros hospice, in Groby Road, and goes to the day centre once a week.

She said: "I've got cancer in my ribs, in my spine, my breast bone and in my hips, now. They can't operate.

"I had drugs to strengthen the bones to start with and then some different ones, but I haven't been taking anything since January, just painkillers.

"Doctors are seeing what happens. Before I started coming here, I was so nervous about things.

"A few years ago, I wouldn't have been able to sit and talk about my cancer. But now, thanks to everyone here, especially Jenny, I can. It's like a safety net.

"You make really good friends; unfortunately, you lose some."

Jenny said: "I gave Pat her chemotherapy treatment all those years ago and I recognised her straight away.

"Whenever anything difficult crops up, she takes it in her stride.

"We have creative activities such as painting and jewellery making and she takes part.

"That works in different ways – it's enjoyable, it can create a memory for a loved one and it also acts as a distraction."

Pat said: "Everything in your mind just goes away"

Pat and Jenny are supporting the Leicester Mercury Loros Appeal to raise £450,000 towards an extension at the hospice.