FORCE Cancer Charity has a new CEO. 

Kate Few-Singh has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare charity sector, having worked for both national and local charities including Sue Ryder and Hospiscare. 

She will take over from Meriel Fishwick, who is leaving at the end of October after 34 years with the Exeter-based charity. 

“I am delighted to be joining FORCE Cancer Charity as Meriel Fishwick retires this autumn,” Mrs Few-Singh said. 

“FORCE is a much-loved local charity that makes a huge difference to the lives of many people living with cancer in Exeter, Mid and East Devon.   

“I am looking forward to meeting the volunteers, supporters, partners and staff who make what we do possible and the patients who are supported.” 

Glynis Atherton, acting chair of trustees at FORCE, said: “Following the retirement of Meriel Fishwick after 34 amazing years of leading FORCE, Exeter's cancer support charity, FORCE's board of trustees are delighted to announce the appointment of Kate Few-Singh as our new chief executive.  

“Kate brings to FORCE wide-ranging senior level experience in the voluntary sector and is committed to enhancing and developing services for local people affected by a cancer diagnosis.   

“We look forward to working with her on the next stage of our journey.” 

FORCE, or the Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre Exeter, is an independent charity founded in 1987. 

It provides free support to anyone affected by cancer at its centre in Exeter and at local community hospitals.  

The charity receives no regular NHS or government funding and needs to raise up to £1.7 million every year to maintain its services. 

Support it offers to cancer patients and those close to them includes counselling, group sessions, complementary therapies, benefits advice, specialist physiotherapy, exercise guidance and other health and wellbeing support. 

The FORCE Cancer Support and Information Centre is located at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital’s Wonford site. 

The charity also works at the Ottery St Mary Hospital cancer hub, where volunteers support the charity’s team of experts and the nurses delivering chemotherapy daily. 

Support by appointment is also available at Tiverton Hospital on Mondays and Okehampton Hospital on Wednesdays.