AN impressive £1,500 was raised at a lunch and raffle to go towards the building of a new cancer centre.

The Rotary Club of Colchester Centurion hit the total at their Remembrance Sunday curry lunch and raffle.

Helen Chuah from the club presented the cheque to Peter Wilson, the chairman of the Cancer Centre Campaign, on Wednesday.

She said: "We in the club have lost three members to this horrible disease and at present we have members who are going through treatment.

"It is a campaign I am determined to support to get this important facility built for the benefit of the patients and their families.

"We all deserve dignity, respect, compassion and a comfortable surrounding to receive care and treatment during illness, and this centre, when built, will achieve this."

The Colchester Hospitals Charity project will see chemotherapy, haematology and radiotherapy services, as well as a new wellness centre, all located at the Turner Road site.

The Gazette backed appeal is aiming to raise £3.25 million and has so far raised an incredible £2.5m.

And it is only just over two weeks until the campaign's Santa Fun Run in Castle Park where more than 600 people are expected to take part.

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