WE have breathed a sigh of relief – at last cancer patients from Herefordshire and Radnorshire are receiving radiotherapy treatment at Hereford County Hospital.

Relief, as initially we were criticised by individual county councillors for 'irresponsibly' raising public expectations for a service which was considered unattainable.

We have been congratulated for spearheading a successful voluntary campaign, but we would not have succeeded without the huge and enthusiastic backing of local people, and the publicity and support of the Hereford Times and its Cut the Cancer Misery Miles slogan.

Over the last nine intensive years there have been many downturns, but recently there was another 'magic’ moment – walking down Hereford's Widemarsh Street I was approached by a stranger who said: “Allan Lloyd? May I warmly congratulate and thank you for your dedicated service to our community.”

We shook hands and went on our separate ways. If that person reads this letter, it would be greatly appreciated if he could make himself known to me.

Many people have said that if it was not for my wife and I, Hereford would never have achieved a radiotherapy unit; we reply that if we had not started the campaign following Angela’s successful cancer treatment, someone else would have surely taken up the baton and achieved the same result.

We leave you with one positive thought: The realisation of a state-of-the-art cancer centre in Hereford is good news for all. Such a centre of excellence will not only benefit cancer patients, but will surely guarantee the present status of the hospital and safeguard the existing level of services for future generations.

The hospital, under the present financial formula, will never be financially viable; but because of its 'isolation’ it will never be closed and preservation of its present status remains a priority.

We thank the people of Herefordshire and Radnorshire for their faith and encouragement, and we now turn our attention and support to St Michael’s Hospice in our new campaign Reaching out for Radnorshire.

ALLAN & ANGELA LLOYD Swan Close, Kington