Boost for new cancer care centre

The facility at PRI should open in 2009

The opening of a new cancer care unit in Perth has moved a step closer thanks to a £1m donation.

The Macmillan Cancer Support Appeal has been given the money by the Gannochy Trust.

It brings the total raised for the facility at Perth Royal Infirmary to £1.5m, leaving £2.275m still needed.

The new unit would provide both in-patient and day care services, such as symptom control, rehabilitation, two therapy suites and a treatment room.

There would also be a flat where families could sleep, a hairdressing salon, coffee bar, a craft room and a garden.

'Amazing lift'

Chairman of the Gannochy Trust, Dr Russell Leather, said: "The Trustees of the Gannochy Trust have supported Macmillan for over a quarter of a century commencing with the funding of Macmillan House in Perth, recognising the enormous benefits of the palliative care provided by Macmillan."

Chairman of the Macmillan appeal committee, Simon Howie, added: "Their incredible £1m contribution has given all of us working for the appeal an amazing lift and made us even more sure that the people of Perth and Kinross are up to the challenge of raising £3.775m.

"The generosity of the local community in raising £500,000 in just five months has already proved to us just how welcome and necessary this facility is and I urge everyone to get behind the appeal to bring us even closer to our target."

The new specialist palliative care unit is scheduled to open in winter 2009.