Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has partnered with specialist skincare company Jennifer Young - Beauty Despite Cancer to become one of the first hotel groups in the UK to offer spa treatments to people living with and beyond cancer.

A range of treatments and product ranges, including the Defiant Beauty and Beyond Beauty ranges, will be rolled out across Macdonald's entire spa collection throughout 2019. The first to feature the selection will be Macdonald Berystede Hotel & Spa in Ascot, the Macdonald Inchyra Hotel & Spa near Stirling and the Macdonald Manchester Hotel.

Specially formulated for people with cancer, the Defiant Beauty range is designed to address the side effects cancer treatments, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, can have on the skin, while the Beyond Beauty range is for guests who have previously undergone cancer treatments. Both use products containing ingredients and essential oils that are kind to sensitive skin.

In addition, Macdonald's front of house and spa staff will undergo specialist training at Jennifer Young's accredited training school, where they will learn the treatment techniques as well as the appropriate language to use and sensitive consultation advice.

Macdonald will also be supporting Ellie's Friend, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of adults affected by cancer across the UK.

Emma Leadbeater, Macdonald spa director, said: "We are very proud to be the first hotel group in the UK to be able to offer Jennifer Young spa treatments for those affected by cancer.

"The decision to launch this range of products and treatments was driven by the demand from those living with cancer who are frequently unable to pamper themselves with conventional spa and beauty treatments due to sensitive skin and nails, a common consequence of chemotherapy and radiotherapy," she added.

"We know how beneficial a massage or facial can be and we didn't want anyone to who is affected by cancer to be denied that feeling of deep relaxation and self-care that a visit to a spa can provide."

Jennifer Young said: "It's so often the case that those living with and beyond cancer are denied the chance to feel good and relax, but by working with Macdonald Hotels & Resorts we are offering more people the chance to get a sense of normality amidst what can be a challenging time."