Generously donated offices have allowed a world renowned business woman to launch a branch of her teenage cancer charity in Loughton.

On Friday (September 21) Teens Unite officially unveiled its new premises at 188 High Road, on the top floor Islandbridge Properties.

Leased for free, the charity will house part of its fundraising and outreach operations in the town, away from its main base in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

Teens Unite provides fun days out for teenage cancer sufferers and was set up 11 years ago by Debbie Pezzani and Karen Millen OBE.

Mrs Millen, who sold her stake in the eponymous clothing company she launched for £35m, explained how the charity started.

She said: "Debbie and I were doing some work in hospital and realised how little support there was outside of hospitals for teenagers going through cancer treatment.

"We met a boy called Chris who had Hodgkin's lymphoma and no family or support really.

"Debbie said to the nurse 'why does he have no one?' and then took him under her wing.

"Chris's brother also had Hodgkin's.

"Through the two of them we realised that despite all the hospital visits they had no support outside the hospital."

After deciding to care for Chris and his brother - the latter sadly dying in her arms - Mrs Pezzani, along with Mrs Millen, launched Teens Unite.

"Our aim is to provide respite for young people aged between 13 and 24 years-old to help them through their cancer journey," the retail tycoon continued.

"A lot of people find it hard to know how to behave around people with a life altering illness.

"Teens Unite brings them together and gives them a taste of normal life."

On October 7 Teens Unite's Junior Warrior Race takes place on October 7 at Loughton Recreational Ground.

To sign up and for more information go to www.teensunite.org.