THE ball has started rolling to raise money for Burnley General Hospital’s £200,000 chemotherapy unit which will serve the whole of East Lancashire.

Juliette Brookfield, from Hoghton, ran Manchester’s 10K race and raised £360.72 for the state-of-the-art treatment centre, which is set to open next spring.

Ms Brookfield, who works as East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust’s business manager for cancer services, has been involved in helping to draw up the plans for new unit.

She said: “I would like to thank all of my colleagues within the trust, and also my family and friends for sponsoring me.

“Working for the trust, I know how important it is to have this unit and to have it up and running as soon as possible.”

A £100,000 appeal has been launched by Rosemere Cancer Foundation to help pay for the unit through public donations, while East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust has pledged to give the remaining £100,000.

Once complete, the new unit will replace the existing, much smaller chemotherapy suite, and is designed to fit specifically around patients’ needs.

Rosemere Cancer Foundation’s East Lancashire fundraising co-ordinator Dan Hill, who is heading the Rosemere Burnley Chemotherapy Unit Appeal, said: “If anyone is signed up to take part in a run, walk or cycle event, please consider doing it for the appeal.

“I have T-shirts, sponsor forms and other items I can give to appeal supporters.”

To contact Dan, call 01772 528346.

This same number, along with 01772 522913, can also be used to make a donation.