A CANCER patient has raised more than £4,000 to help build a new state-of-the-art facility.

Lorna Kean, who is having radiotherapy at Colchester General Hospital, held a race night which attracted 100 guests.

She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in January last year.

She became aware of the Cancer Centre Campaign during her treatment and wanted to do something to support it.

Mrs Kean, a retired property lawyer who has two daughters with her husband Robert, said: "At the time of diagnosis, I was president of Colchester Centurion Rotary Club, the members of which all rallied to support me during my treatment and especially with the race night.

"Over the previous year the club had lost two members to cancer and now both myself and another rotary friend are undergoing treatment, and so wanted to help with the appeal."

They raised a total of £4,500.

Caroline Bates, head of fundraising for the Colchester Hospitals Charity, said: “It has been a great pleasure to meet Lorna and her team and we were delighted to receive this amazing contribution to the cancer centre.”

Sonia Tankard, lead for radiotherapy thanked Lorna for her support.

The campaign hopes to raise £3.25million to bring all the cancer services together in one place at Colchester General Hospital.

To donate to the campaign, text Gaze11, followed by however much you wish to donate, to 70070.