AN unexpected gift of more than £100,000 has been given towards a new cancer centre.

The Gazette-backed Cancer Centre Campaign hopes to raise £3.25 million to build a state of the art facility at Colchester General Hospital.

A donor has given £117,000 towards the Colchester Hospital Charity's target.

Caroline Bates, head of charity and fundraising, said: “We were absolutely delighted to receive this incredibly generous and unexpected gift, which means there is now £750,000 left to raise.

"The campaign has really gathered momentum over the last couple of months, with our village committees all working hard to raise funds and awareness - there have been events to raise funds every week over the summer.

"Every contribution is important and helps get us nearer our total so this donation has given everyone involved a huge boost of confidence that we will reach the target of £3.25 million by our deadline of February 2017.”

Several members of staff from the Mary Barron Suite are abseiling down Colchester Town Hall on September 3 to raise funds, including matron Donna Booton.

A fundraising day is also being held at Mill Race Nursery on August 28.

Chris Clark, a patient, raised £1,700 this month at a charity football match in Dedham and the Manningtree Fundraising Group raised £2,300 at their ‘Bangladeshi Banquet’ hosted by the Mogul Restaurant.

The new cancer centre would see the chemotherapy and haematology services brought next door to the radiotherapy unit.

The charity has already received a number of generous contributions, including a £6,000 donation by Essex Mechanical Services, which is based at the Peartree Business Centre in Stanway, a £1 million pledge from a generous benefactor which will be given if the £3.25 million target is reached by February, and another anonymous donation of £11,500.

To donate to the appeal, text Gaze11 £10 to 70070 or whatever amount readers wish to donate.

Alternatively, can sign up for fundraising events or donate money to the appeal via the CoHoc website on www.cohoc.org.uk.