Money is rolling in for the Yeovil Express Fund A Scanner Today Appeal – and the latest donation came from a most unlikely source.

Its Northcliffe-based weekly rival, the Western Gazette, has sent in a cheque for £1,000 to take the Newsquest title’s campaign total up to almost £3,000.

The £20,000 appeal aims to buy a new scanner for Yeovil District Hospital’s bone density unit to help in the diagnosis of the brittle bone disease osteoporosis.

Express editor-in-chief Ken Bird said he was “absolutely delighted” a rival publication was willing to support the FAST Appeal.

“In times of increasing competitiveness among newspapers at national and local level, this news does put your faith back in the business which at times can be quite cut throat,” he said.

“I would personally like to thank Jacqueline and the Western Gazette for its donation and it just goes to show that at times rivalries can be put to one side.”

Western Gazette managing director, Jacqueline Dean, said: “I’m sure you will have little difficulty in raising the remaining funds for this project. We wish you every success.”

Express chief reporter Steve Sowden added: “The response we’ve had from our readers has been fantastic. However small or large your donations we don’t mind because every penny we raise will help towards our target.”

Steve is currently in training for his 23.4-mile walk from Yeovil Town FC’s Huish Park ground to Dorchester Town FC’s Avenue Stadium on September 3. Fellow Glovers’ fans James Wootten, Mark Grose and Dave Lewis will join him in the epic challenge.

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