THE big hearts of the business world continue to pump money into a life-saving breast unit in Worcester but there is still a way to go until the dream comes true.

The roll of honour of those who continue to pave the way for Worcester's first dedicated breast unit at 220 Newtown Road is growing but more businesses are needed to help the unit become a reality.

Nearly 70 businesses, large and small, have now thrown their muscle behind the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign raising between them more than £4,300 by giving just £50 each. A big push was launched in June as the five-year anniversary of the launch of the campaign launch looms. The campaign got off the ground on October 1, 2009 with a fundraising calendar featuring women, many of whom had survived breast cancer, in a series of tasteful but revealing shots. Sadly, not all of the women in the calendar are with us today, including charity patron, campaigner and fundraiser Cherry Robinson who died last October at her home in Osier Close, Worcester, from secondary cancers.

The aim of the big push was to raise at least £115,000 so work could begin on the unit near Worcestershire Royal Hospital so medical staff and patients can begin using the unit and experiencing its many benefits as soon as possible.

The initiative was devised by Granville Orange, chairman of the Worcestershire Ambassadors and solicitor Jonathan Brew, supported by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce. Around 600 people every year are diagnosed with breast cancer. One woman in three will see a breast specialist during their life and one in eight women will develop breast cancer and one in a thousand men will develop the disease.

The unit will allow rapid efficient assessment and care, treatment in welcoming and private surroundings, fewer return visits, space for complementary therapies and support group meetings, counselling rooms for reflection and discussion, new clinical equipment, including an ultrasound machine for sole use by the breast unit and high-resolution imaging screens, flexible space for use by support groups as well as other patient activities and a prosthesis fitting room.

* You can donate by sending a cheque payable to Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign with your name and the name and address of your business (quoting "Chamber") to Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, Freepost RSAX-JTUA-LACU, Charles Hastings Education Centre, Worcester, WR5 1DD or by bank transfer to Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, Lloyds Bank, Sort Code 30-93-11, account number 02504965.

Roll of Honour (list of businesses who have so far contributed to the breast unit).

Belvoir Letting Steve Slawson

Louise Hewett Recruitment

The Garden Tea Rooms at Great Witley Court

Spectrum Environmental Ltd

Sienna X

ESP Essential Supply Products Ltd

Thomas Guise Solicitors

Andrew Grant Estate Agents

Dry Like Me Ltd

Fortis Living

Andrea Borwell-Fox

Cargyll

Titania

Malvern Instruments Ltd

Severn Valley Catering Ltd

Granville and Christine Orange

Art Shades

Festival Housing

Calder Pressure Systems

Bluespier International Limited

Hargreave Hale (Worcester Office)

Onside Advocacy

McCarthy Taylor Consulting

Cherington HR

Bosch Thermotechnical

SMH Fleet Solution

Alphaquad Ltd

Hereford and Worcester Chamber

Fine Agrochemicals Ltd

English Braids

BPI Consumer

ABSSAC ltd

Nature’s Own

Winstanley & Co

CY Executive Resourcing

Crowndell Services

Joy Global (UK)Limited

Lesk Engineers

The Prime Foundation

Charles Faram & Co Limited

A W Supplies

Harrison Clark Rickerby

ISO Quality Services

Tibberton Post Office

Speller Metcalfe Limited

Quality Solicitors Parkinson Wright

Worcester Walks

Principia School of Language

Yamazaki Mazak Ltd

WHCA The Orchard Health Care Plan

Porter & Porter t/a the International Jaguar XK Club and E-type Club

Porter Industries Ltd

Porter Press International Ltd

Sanctuary Housing Association

Project Viva Ltd

Worcester College of Technology

David Hallmark Consultancy Via Sharon

Embrace Cancer Beauty

Powick CE Primary School l

Crown House Developments

QCOM Outsourcing

Bosch

Hawkwood Developments Ltd

Grantham Garages Ltd

Hereford & Worcester Chamber of Commerce

Worcester Flooring Ltd

SME Solicitors