A FUNERAL directors has raised nearly £15,000 for a new cancer centre.

Melanie and Trevor Hunnaball, from Hunnaball Family Funeral Group, were keen to get involved in the Cancer Centre Campaign when Dr Gavin Campbell was treating Trevor at Colchester General Hospital.

From the outset they felt cancer touches everyone’s lives in some way, and they wanted to get behind the Colchester Hospital Charity's campaign to build a new and better environment for cancer patients.

They set about their fundraising just over a year ago and held events throughout the year, supported by family colleagues and friends.

Events included a car wash at Hunnaball in Ipswich Road, Pizza and Prosecco evenings on board their boat, a curry night, as well receiving personal donations from friends and family.

Caroline Bates, head of charity and fundraising, said: “Not only has Melanie and her team raised nearly £15,000 for the campaign, they have also done a tremendous amount to raise awareness.

"We are incredibly grateful to them for working so hard to support the cancer centre, especially as they are so busy themselves.

"I am also delighted to say that Hunnaball has become a founding member of our 2019 Club - an initiative to encourage local businesses to support the campaign”.

Dr Phil Murray joined the Hunnaball team for a celebration coffee and cake after the receiving a cheque for £14,787 from Trevor.

Dr Murray said: “Usually I am invited along to meet people to say ‘please will you help’, so I am very pleased on this occasion to be able to say a huge thank you to everyone from Hunnaball.

"This donation means that we have now raised over £2.92million.”

The £3.25 million centre will bring all cancer services together in one location.

Cancer patients who need both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have to make their way through the maze of corridors at Colchester General Hospital for treatments.

Trevor Hunnaball said: “It has been a fantastic team effort and privilege to support the campaign which is very personal to myself and my family.”