A press appeal to raise £2.5m to build a new dedicated breast cancer unit at a Midlands hospital has hit its first fundraising milestone.

The Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign, which is being run in conjunction with the Worcester News, has so far collect over £250,000 towards the new unit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

In October, we reported that the Newsquest daily had joined forces with local campaigners in a bid to raise the sum because breast cancer services are currently spread across the hospital site.

A building has been earmarked for the new dedicated unit and the £2.5m, once it is raised, will be used to furnish and equip it with the NHS agreeing to meet the future running costs.

Waiting times are expected to be cut by half once it is up and running.

Worcester News editor Kevin Ward, whose grandmother died of the disease, is a patron of the appeal as is former Worcestershire and England cricketer Graeme Hick.

Kevin told HTFP: “The response since the public appeal was launched last October has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“The Worcester News is proud to support the campaign and we know hundreds of our readers have contributed to the appeal.

“There is still a long way to go but I know from working closely with the campaign management team that we will get this much-needed facility built in Worcester.”

Fundraising efforts have included a ‘nude’ calendar by a group of local breast cancer survivors and a ‘Breast Fest’ music festival this April.

Campaign director Geoff Howard told the News: “Reaching our first quarter of a million is a fantastic milestone and we are pushing very closely towards £300,000.

“The support from readers of the Worcester News has been absolutely terrific. We would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to them for all their contributions.”