THE man who decided to donate the proceeds of his term of office as president of Franche Club to Cure Leukaemia said he was delighted with the community's efforts.

Len Taylor described the social club as "a big family" and said members had pulled out all the stops to raise cash for the charity.

He added he understood the £5,000 generated was the largest amount any president had raised.

"The club's like a home from home and I think every member was in favour of the money going to Cure Leukaemia," he said.

"It's just like a big family and we look out for each other ... I'm more than pleased with where the money's going and I'm pleased for Elaine and Duncan's sister because she gave him the transplant and is also a member of the club."

Cure Leukaemia's head of fund-raising and development, John Latham, said he, too, was delighted with the cash raised by Franche Club, which accounted for 10 per cent of the £500,000 the charity had raised so far.

He explained the new centre of excellence gave hope to 7,000 leukaemia sufferers in the West Midlands.

"It's absolutely great news for people like Duncan Corfield," he said.

"The building is currently under construction, will hopefully be ready in the autumn and be the beginning of a new deal for leukaemia patients."