Two Norwich newspapers have achieved remarkable success in their campaign to combat the pains of breast cancer.

The Eastern Daily Press said their breast cancer appeal has crossed the £40,000 mark – more than a fifth of the way towards creating a new breast-care unit in Norfolk.

The staggering milestone, just nine weeks into the appeal, came as one of the county’s tallest landmarks – Ecotricity wind turbine at Swaffham – was adorned with a Breast Cancer Appeal banner.

Daredevil stuntmen Tjebbe Roestenburg and Jonathan Adams braved atrocious weather to abseil on the 220ft tower.

Since launching the appeal for a £200,000 breast-care unit at King’s Lynn’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in November, donations have flooded in at the rate of £4,500 a week.

EDP editor Peter Franzen said: “I would like to thank more than 700 people who joined us in our great Christmas celebration and contributed so generously to our two main appeals.”

The Evening News has joined forces with the Norwich-based charity the Big C to build a Family Cancer Information and Support Centre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

South Norfolk Council has already granted planning permission for the centre to be built on the hospital site at Colney, and work is due to start in the spring.

David Bourn, editor of the Evening News, said at the appeal launch: “The Evening News is delighted to throw its weight behind this fantastic campaign and I would urge our loyal army of readers to rally behind it as well.

“There can be few people out there whose lives haven’t been touched by cancer in some way. This incredible facility will provide support and advice to them all and will be something for Norwich to be proud of.”

This massive project is likely to cost the Big C in the region of £700,000. So far they have £182,000 in the bank, and now the charity is calling on Evening News readers to help them raise another £250,000 over the coming 12 months. It is hoped that the centre will be opened next year.

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