Cancer charity heads to Number 10

The charity raises money to help pay for research and patient services

Campaigners are visiting Downing Street to call for the return of £6.5m the Christie cancer centre charity lost in the Iceland banking crisis.

Charity workers, cancer patients and their families were arriving on the capital armed with a petition carrying 100,000 signatures.

The money was lost when the UK-regulated bank Kaupthing Singer and Friedlander (KSF) collapsed.

Campaigner, Carol Park, said: "The people of Manchester have spoken."

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme previously turned down the Manchester hospital's claim.

'Overwhelming' support

About 50 fundraisers and representatives from the charity are dressed in outfits to represent how they raised the money for the specialist cancer centre - from cyclists and singers to dancers and jugglers.

Some supporters will carry blown up photographs of loved ones in whose memory they have raised money.

A procession was held in Manchester city centre on Wednesday afternoon before a send-off for the supporters.

Lord Keith Bradley, chairman of the Christie charitable funds, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the tremendous public support.

"This campaign has brought people together in strength and numbers and has been noted at the highest government level."

On 4 April, a Treasury Select Committee report recommended that charities should be compensated for money lost in the Icelandic banking collapse.

The Christie has an annual budget of £153m. Its charity raises about £13m each year to help pay for additional patient services, research and new patient developments.