Mr Cooper is one of the first guests in the new extension at Western Care Lodge, which opened last week.

“It’s all so beautiful here - it’s just like being on holiday,” he said.

Mr Cooper was told about the facilities in Orange after being diagnosed in Dubbo and was told he could be treated with two linear accelerators in Orange.

“I came down to have a look and I immediately thought how great it was,” he said.

The new rooms at the lodge share a large combined kitchen, dining and living areas. They were built as part of stage one of the Western Care Lodge and were completed more than a year ago.

Mr Cooper said he has already made friends at the lodge.

“There are people in here from Grenfell, Gooloogong, Walgett, Mudgee and all over the place really,” he said.

“This way of treatment and staying here has just worked out so well for me,” he said.

The new rooms contain two beds for a patient and their carer, and individual patios, with a large bathroom.

Jan Savage, who has been co-ordinating the fundraising for the Western Care Lodge, says there is still pressure on Cancer Care Western NSW to raise the remaining $300,000 to pay off a loan to move the new extension forward.

Mrs Savage said the organisation decided to seek a loan as there was an even bigger demand for accommodation when the second linear accelerator was commissioned at Orange Health Service last year.

If you or an organisation you are associated with is interested in donating to the project, please call Mrs Savage on 6362 7665.