HOSPITAL heroes have donated £17,000 towards a newly-opened cancer centre.

The Colchester League of Hospital and Community Friends raised £17,250 for the Cancer Centre Campaign, which is supported by the Gazette.

The cash has been used to pay for a suite of furniture for the Collingwood Centre, which opened at Colchester Hospital earlier this month.

Jayne Malyan, day unit manager, said it made all the difference.

She said: “The furniture really was the finishing touch for the centre, it was important to us to have attractive seating for patients and visitors.

“Some patients can be receiving treatment for up to eight hours so it is vital they are comfortable and relaxed.

“We really appreciate this gift from the League of Friends.”

The most visible work of the League of Friends is at their shops, guiding service, ward shop trolleys and newspaper rounds at Colchester Hospital.

Frank Jordan, chairman of the Colchester League of Friends, said the group was more than happy to help.

He said: “The League of Friends are pleased to be able to contribute to the recent fitting out of the Collingwood Centre.

“It is never pleasant for patients who have to undergo chemotherapy treatment but the centre provides a calm and peaceful atmosphere for this to take place.

“We hope the patients will find it similarly beneficial.”

Caroline Bates, head of fundraising, thanked the group for their continued support.

She said: “This is not the first time the League of Friends has supported the Cancer Centre Campaign.

“They have been regular contributors over the past five years and this donation brings their total contribution to £72,124, for which we are immensely grateful.”

This year has been an exciting year for the Cancer Centre Campaign.

The Collingwood Centre, which opened on November 11, is the culmination of several years of dedicated fundraising.

The state-of-the-art facilities, next to the radiotherapy centre, will offer thousands of patients a comfortable environment.

A newly-built Wellbeing Centre offering therapies and support services to cancer patients will also open at the same site next month.