LESS than three months ago this building was little more than peeling paintwork, smashed windows and grubby carpets.

Now, however, it has undergone an impressive transformation and is well on the way to becoming a vital lifeline for head and neck cancer patients from all over the country.

There are just weeks to go until the About Face Centre is due to open, but a final funding push is still needed to complete the Daily Echo-backed project.

Head and neck cancer charity About Face launched the Butter-fly Appeal with the Echo in September 2003 to raise £250,000 to create the centre in Poole.

The aim was to provide a facility combining state-of-the-art research and training with a fundraising office and space for patients and families to meet and receive vital information, advice and support.

A property on the corner of Longfleet Road and Kingston Road, opposite Poole Hospital, was bought earlier this year after some 600 companies, organisations and individuals, as well as a charitable trust, put forward the necessary funds.

Thanks to further donations totalling £80,000, the last two and-a-half months have been spent transforming the building.

"We've had to do so much fundamental work," explained appeal director Ian Catley.

"New ceilings everywhere - it's been completely rewired and replumbed. A lot of the plaster just fell off the walls.

"We've obviously made the toilet facility available for disabled people and the approach to the property will also be appropriate.

"Because it's a Victorian building the whole of the outside as well as inside needs making fit for purpose. It's been a major thing to make it the way it is and we are into the final lap, but I still need funds to complete it."

Much support has already been received for the scheme - the Flogit and Leggit charity funded the disabled toilet while another donation covered the cost of the electrics in the property.

Andy Storey, director of SiteSure Ltd, provided more than £1,000 worth of scaffolding for free after reading about the project in the Echo and realising the building was in the road where he was born.

Ian is now approaching trusts, individuals and supporters to raise the final £50,000 needed.

Once the centre is finished it will feature a room where patients can have either one-to-one or group sessions with experts, as well as research and training facilities, and accommodation, for visiting surgeons.

"Patients and their loved ones are looking forward to the opening of the About Face Centre," said Ian. "Here they will relax and talk with experienced former patients, opening up in sharing their own cancer journey in a safe environment.

"We will have one-to-one conversations and the befriending group will also use the centre as a focal point while the new kitchen will provide the real and virtual cup of tea' for people to chat over.

"Yes, cancer of any kind can be scary - but what the About Face Centre will guarantee is a listening post where advice, information and support give patients the opportunity to start to re-build their life.

"All I need to do right now is to find the rest of the money in September to open in October."

l To find out how you can help the Butterfly Appeal, call appeal director Ian Catley on 01202 7633300 or email ian@baldeaglecommunications.co.uk.