Ellesmere neighbours' joy over total raised

Anne Littlehales, 69, of Jebb Court in Ellesmere, was diagnosed with malignant melanoma in her nose and underwent an operation to have it removed in January.

She then received six weeks of radiotherapy in Shrewsbury where she was supported by the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Mrs Littlehales said: "I had radiotherapy for six weeks and that is when I found out they were trying to raise money for a new machine.

"So we fundraised with a cream tea and we raised £331. That was matched by McCarthy & Stone who donated £300."

The cancer fund launched an appeal in January to raise £750,000. The money will help fund an additional linear accelerator for the Cancer and Haematology Centre at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

The machine delivers radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients and while the department already has two machines, a third is needed so that waiting times for treatment do not increase.

Mrs Littlehales said she was helped by her husband John along with neighbours in Jebb Court retirement living apartments run by McCarthy & Stone who helped organise the event.

She said: "We had about 50 people there and were extremely pleased with the total.

"We had two neighbours who went round the town asking for raffle prizes and we had some extremely good things donated which always helps."

For more information about the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and its appeal for a new machine, visit www.lingendavies.org.uk/appeal.html