Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital's cancer plea halfway to cash target
A funding appeal for a new bone cancer centre in Shropshire is more than half way to its target amount, delighted health chiefs have revealed.
The Oswestry Bone Cancer Appeal has now raised more than £195,000 in 12 months with a further £75,000 in pledges, meaning it is over half way to its target.
The centre will be built in the grounds of Oswestry Orthopaedic Hospital.
The hospital's directors have agreed to start building the new centre in autumn 2014.
The move will take advantage of savings by constructing the new centre at the same time as the creation of new operating theatres at the hospital.
The new Bone Cancer Centre will be located adjacent to the new main entrance at the specialist orthopaedic hospital. The area of land has been marked out ready for both the new tumour unit and the adjacent new operating theatres.
Prudent
Appeal director Gwilym Owen OBE said: "My thanks go to all those involved in fundraising so far towards the new £2 million Bone Cancer Centre. In addition to the funds in the bank so far, we have a further £75,000 in pledges.
"Whilst we have already come a long way in reaching our appeal target of £500,000, we still need more support and fundraising events.
"So far we have 20 runners signed up for the 2014 Virgin London Marathon, with 10 places remaining, if any one would like to sign up.
"This new combined development of theatres and the dedicated Bone Cancer Centre in 2014 will really improve facilities for patients."
Trust board members received a presentation in September on the estates strategy for the 33-acre site at Gobowen, which has already seen a £15 million reinvestment in recent years.
Bosses say this funding came from the hospital's prudent financial management of its own resources.
The NHS foundation trust is treating a growing number of patients, who are attracted to the hospital because of its reputation for excellent specialist orthopaedic and related care.
To sustain this growth in demand, further theatre capacity is now required, as well as the dedicated Bone Cancer Centre that the hospital, with the support of patients and local people, has recently been fundraising for.
