A GROUP of determined Leominster women who raised more than £8,000 for a cancer treatment ward in less than two months have handed over the much-needed device the money has bought.

Val Bowkett decided she wanted to give something back to the team that helped her through her own radiotherapy treatment at Hereford County Hospital and the department – which is managed by Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust – said it was in real need of an ultrasound bladder scanner.

Together with a group of friends, she held a series of fundraising events which included a coffee morning and a pudding evening and incredibly raised a total of £8,357.79 in just two months to pay for the scanner.

Cancer patients across the county will now benefit from the device which helps to accurately locate the exact part of the body to target with radiotherapy to within millimetres – an essential part of ensuring cancer treatment is as effective as possible.

The new scanner will allow patients to benefit from an improved technique which, unlike other methods can be used quickly and as often as needed, using ultrasound to improve consistency of bladder volume and increasing patient comfort.

Mrs Bowkett thanked all those who supported the fundraising appeal, both in Leominster and in Tenbury wells, and said people were 'very kind'.

Richard Smith, head of fundraising for Focus, the Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Charity, said: "Having a bladder scanner in the Hereford Radiotherapy Unit will make a real difference to local people fighting cancer, enabling us to quickly assess patients, providing reliable information which can be used immediately in their treatment.

"We are extremely grateful to the committee for their determination to raise the funds needed, and to everyone who supported this appeal.”

Mrs Bowkett thanked all those who

Donations to Focus give direct support to the Hereford Radiotherapy Unit, providing extra care, specialist equipment and improvements to facilities over and above that provided by the NHS.

To find out more about Focus Hereford, contact Richard Smith, head of Fundraising, on 0300 422 3231 or by emailing richarda.smith@glos.nhs.uk