The appeal for the island’s first-ever dedicated breast care unit has raised more than £1million.
A donation from the Eric and Marion Scott Trust has seen the appeal move past the seven-figure barrier, which means it is now two thirds of the way towards its target of £1.5m.
Launched in November 2013, the aim of the appeal, symbolised by the Millie-Meter display in the Noble’s Hospital’s foyer, is to have raised all the money by the end of 2015.
David Gawne MBE, president of the Manx Breast Cancer Support Group, said: ‘Raising more than £1million in such a short timescale is a tremendous achievement and is attributable to all the hard work that has been put in over recent months by everyone connected with the support group.
‘I’d like to thank everyone who has contributed, especially the Eric and Marion Scott Trust, who have been incredibly generous, but also to everyone across the Isle of Man who has made a contribution.
‘I would also place on record our appreciation to our colleagues within government for their support and co-operation in what is a new method of working between the sectors. Our challenge now over the next 12 months, is to raise a further £500,000 to reach our Appeal target.’
Howard Quayle MHK, Minister for Health and Social Care said: ‘I am delighted to hear that the fundraising campaign has hit the £1 million mark - and in such a short period of time.
‘The partnership between the Breast Cancer Support Group and the department is an innovative approach to delivering new state of the art facilities for the people of the Isle of Man.’
MBCSG chairman Julie Stokes said the group was the only charity raising funds for the new unit for which building work is already well under way.
‘We have had tremendous support from our patron, Sheila Dean and a number of corporate sponsors including Mannin Media, Descon, Middleton Katz and Manx Move, not forgetting members of the public.
The Millie-Meter has been named after the island’s consultant breast specialist surgeon Millie Bello, who has campaigned tirelessly alongside the support group fundraisers.
‘This vitally important facility will be a unit that every woman living on the Isle of Man will come into contact with at some point because it will handle all breast screening, mammography as well as specialist symptomatic services,’ said Julie.
The MBCSG’s fundraising activities. are continuing. The next two events in the group’s calendar are a charity race night at Ballavartyn Equestrian Centre, Santon on Saturday, September 20, and a pink bBall at the Mount Murray on Saturday, November 1.
For ticket information for either event, contact: Julie Stokes on 484950, Jane Attree on 400044 or drop into Scissors Hair Salon, Village Walk, Onchan.