THE appeal to raise vital funds to modernise a cancer unit at Kidder-minster Hospital has flown past the £150,000 target in just 10 months .

An anonymous £20,000 donation just before Christmas pushed he Millbrook Suite Appeal past the all-important milestone, capping a remarkable year of fund-raising.

The Shuttle and the hospital’s League of Friends have been amazed by the response since they set up the project in February.

RISING TO CHALLENGE The league gave £100,000 to the £250,000 scheme, with the community rising to the challenge of financing the remainder.

David Wase, league chairman, said: “We are so grateful to the community for raising this money in such a short time.

“We never expected it to be achieved this quickly.”

The Millbrook Suite, created in 1998, will use the money for refurbishment and new equipment, to enable the unit to treat cancer patients in more comfortable and modern surroundings.

Building work started last Monday and the unit has been temporarily relocated to section A2 of the hospital.

Chemotherapy sister, Rachel Desogus, said: “It was amazing how quickly events were being organised after the appeal started.

“Within a week a little girl had done a sponsored swim and it all went from there.”

The total now stands at £164,012 but the league is encouraging people to go ahead with fund-raising events they have already planned, as the extra money can be used to buy more equipment for the unit.

Any further contributions will also go towards League of Friends funds for future Millbrook expenditure.

Kidderminster Mayor, Howard Martin, who has made the appeal part of his charity fund this year, said he would continue to donate any money raised to the unit.

PROVIDING EXTRAS “I have already told people that a proportion of any money they give to the fund will go the Millbrook Suite so I will carry on supporting it.

“I will talk to the League of Friends and the Millbrook staff and see how they think the money should be spent.

“The money from the mayoral charity will be the icing on the cake and provide some extras that may not have been available in the initial target.”

Plans include upgrading and extending the suite, with more consulting areas, new furniture and increased waiting space for families and partners.