POETS are to help raise funds for Colchester’s new cancer centre.

Retired consultant physician Dr Peter Kennedy is compiling a poetry anthology with proceeds going to the Cancer Centre Campaign.

Dr Kennedy was one of the founders of poetrywivenhoe where guest poets are invited to read their works to poetry lovers in Wivenhoe.

Now Dr Kennedy has asked the poets to contribute one of their works to the book. And thanks to the success of a crowdfunding appeal, the compilation is set to go on sale this summer.

Dr Kennedy worked for Colchester hospitals for 36 years, including at the former Myland and Severalls hospitals as well as Essex County and Colchester General hospitals.

After he retired, he moved to Wivenhoe and helped to start poetrywivenhoe eight years ago.

He said: “A couple of colleagues and myself had an idea of having a poetry event of some sort.

“The poetry scene nationally has become vibrant and we knew there would be some interest in Wivenhoe.”

Their instincts were right and poetrywivenhoe now holds a monthly event at the Royal British Legion club, with guest poets reading their work.

Since its inauguration, more than 60 poets have visited including humourist and performance poet Matt Harvey and award-winning poets Jo Bell and Rebecca Goss.

Dr Kennedy felt he could use his connections to help the Cancer Centre Campaign.

He said: “I am not going to jump out of a plane or abseil down Jumbo, but I can raise money doing something I can do, which is organise a poetry event.”

Pleas to businesses to fund the publication of the book were unsuccessful, but Dr Kennedy launched a crowdfunding appeal.

He said: “There was a really fantastic response. In a few days we had £500 and we now have £1,000 to go ahead.”

Together with help from designer John Wallet, publisher Sue Finn and Sir John Ashworth, chairman of the campaign, wheels were put in motion.

The financial backing means money raised from the sales of the anthology will all go to the Cancer Centre Campaign.

Dr Kennedy said: “I see the cancer centre as an important addition to what Colchester General Hospital already provides – a fully modern, state of the art radiotherapy centre.

“Even though I have retired, I have the good of the hospital at heart and I think the cancer centre will improve the patient experience and treatment.

“It will be such a good facility to allow people to get the best support.

“People may ask why it is not funded by the NHS, but it can’t fund everything.”

The anthology will feature the work of more than 40 poets in which Dr Kennedy describes as, “an eclectic mix of quality poetry”.

Details of how to get a copy of the book will be released near the launch on July 23.