IN November 2005 we decided that doing nothing about the excessive journeys to Cheltenham for cancer treatment was not an option - it was felt that something just had to be done. Thus was born what we consider to have been quite a successful local campaign fully supported by the Hereford Times.

This campaign attracted the backing of Macmillan Cancer Support and resulted in the very positive public appeal for the new Hereford Macmillan Renton Cancer Unit - an oncology unit and chemotherapy department which should be operational towards the end of next year.

Our aim has been to highlight and make the authorities aware of the problems and difficulties associated with journeys of up to 200 miles per visit to access cancer treatment at Cheltenham, and to forcefully maintain the argument and pressure for alternative comprehensive cancer treatment provision at Hereford County Hospital.

This has proved to be a high profile campaign as the readers of the Hereford Times know: to date we have made in excess of 450 journeys throughout Herefordshire and Mid Wales, at our own agreed expense, to promote and champion this worthy cause - and along the way raised some £60,000 towards the appeal.

The ultimate success of the Cut the Cancer Misery Miles campaign has been the official announcement that radiotherapy treatment will be available at Hereford Hospital by no later than 2012, and that such a decision has been substantially and financially supported by government.

However, we feel we cannot afford to relax - vigilance is required to ensure no decision is overturned - and, as such, the campaign will not truly end until patients physically access both chemotherapy and radiotherapy cancer treatment in the new build at Hereford County Hospital.

We wish to convey our sincere and heartfelt appreciation for all the support we have received during the campaign thus far - we are truly humbled by such enterprise and goodwill: it has been this public endorsement that has sustained us throughout the campaign and strengthened our resolve and determination to succeed.

With our prayers and thanksgiving.

ALLAN AND ANGELA LLOYD (left), Swanclose, Kington.