STAFF and patients at a doctors’ surgery in Upton-upon-Severn have raised £10,000 for a dedicated breast care unit at a Worcester hospital.

The Upton Surgery in Tunnel Hill has held fund-raising events throughout the autumn and winter, raising money for the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.

The campaign, officially adopted by your Worcester News as our chosen charity, involves creating a £2.5 million one-stop-shop for breast care patients at 220 Newtown Road on the Worcestershire Royal Hospital site.

The existing facilities are deemed to be too spread out in the hospital, often in cramped and clinical environments and the new unit will reduce waiting times by half and make for a more convenient and less stressful journey for breast cancer patients.

About 200 people attended a fund-raiser organised by the surgery in December last year, which included a Christmas fair, auctions of pledges and goods donated by local businesses, a tombola and festive refreshments.

Dr Susanna Everitt, from the surgery, said: “The evening was a fantastic success, and I would like to thank everyone who supported the event and dug deep to raise the large amount of funds for Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign.”

Dr Everitt also wanted to thank patients and staff for their continued support for fund-raising ideas.

Nursing staff even dressed in pink tutus for the seasonal flu campaign and all departments had different ideas such as a quiz which helped the cause.

So far the Breast Unit Campaign has raised £300,000 but more support is needed across Worcestershire to reach the £2.5 million total.

About one in nine women and one in 1,000 men develop breast cancer.

The campaign has more than 60 patrons representing all sections of the community, including breast cancer survivors.

Lead patrons are Worcestershire cricket legend Graeme Hick and Michael Brinton, the Lord Lieutenant of the county. Your Worcester News editor Kevin Ward is also a patron of the charity.

Readers can help by making a donation or by sending a cheque, made payable to Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, to Charles Hastings Education Centre, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1DD.

For more information about the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, log on to everybodyknowssomebody.co.uk.