CRICKETING hero Graham Napier has become patron of the Cancer Centre Campaign.

The campaign aims to raise £4.5 million to bring cancer services for north Essex to a new purpose-built centre at Colchester General Hospital.

However, there is no NHS money to pay for the centre so a public appeal, the biggest in the hospital's history, has been launched.

It has the backing of Essex's famous cricketing son who urged everyone to support the campaign.

Mr Napier has played for Essex since the outset of his senior career in 1997.

He equalled the record for most sixes scored in a first class innings hitting 16 sixes as part of a 130 ball 196 for Essex.

He said he had been moved by the courage and determination of the family of Colchester cricketeer Rob George.

Former Colchester Royal Grammar School student Rob who was a popular member of Colchester and East Essex Cricket Club, died after a long fight with leukaemia. He was 21.

His parents, Lorraine and Philip, and brothers Tom and Sam, set up the Rob George Foundation in his memory.

Mr Napier, 34, who was born in Colchester and went to the Gilberd School, said: "Unfortunately, today you are never far away from cancer.

"I knew Rob George's family well from being involved in the cricketing family of Colchester."

He added: "The new centre will be unique. It will mean everyone who is there is there for the same reason.

"Cancer is undoubtedly hard but this will help to make the best of a bad situation.

"It will give everyone comfort and dignity and a glimmer of hope.

"As patron of the Cancer Centre Campaign, I will help out in whatever way I can in raising awareness and fundraising."

 

Gazette:

If the target is reached, a new centre will be built on part of the radiotherapy centre.

It will mean chemotherapy and haemotology services provided in the same location as well as space for Macmillan nurses and support groups.

Sir John Ashworth, chairman of the campaign, said: “There is continuing pressure on NHS budgets and the focus for the NHS money is to pay for cures.

“Inevitably, quality of life comes second, but it is not secondary to the patients.”

 

Gazette:

* To donate to the appeal, text GAZE11 £10 (or an amount of your choice) to 70070.

Cheques, made payable to CoHoC Cancer Centre Campaign, can be sent to Colchester Hospitals Charity, Villa 10, Turner Road, Colchester, CO4 5JL.

Donations can also be made online by going to www.CohoC.org.uk. This will take you to a secure online payment processing site – Justgiving.com – where you can make a donation or set up a fundraising page for your own event.