COUNTY Gazette readers have helped a charity raise £400,000 to help support cancer patients in Somerset.

The landmark collected since we linked up with the Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) was reached earlier this month, when over £3,000 came in.

And SURE, which funds equipment for the Beacon Centre cancer unit at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital, has now raised almost £2million since it was founded in 2000.

Committee member Jeff Gale said: “The donations continue to come in thanks to the people of Somerset and we’re in contact with the Beacon Centre to supply the items that they require.

“SURE is also grateful to the Gazette and its readers for all their support over the years.

“We look forward to reaching our next landmark of £2million overall – and £500,000 through the Gazette.”

Recent donations include £1,000 from whist drives at Rockwell Green; £600 in celebration of Beryl and Peter Dixon’s golden wedding; £401.93 from ‘Our Mate Mac’; £300 from HATS following a village play at Hatch Beauchamp; £125 from the Stag Beetles; and £55 from the sale of knitted scarves at Bishops Lydeard.

Collections of 5p coins totalled £220 from St George’s Catholic School, £144 from the Beacon Centre, including £8 from Beryl Brown; £79.60 from the Minster Pharmacy, in Ilminster; £50 from the Moose Ladies; £25 from Philip Walpole and Associates.

Income from collection boxes was £59.06 from the Esso Garage, in Wellington Road, Taunton, and £32.71 from Cartridge World.

The total of £3092.30 takes the amount raised since SURE linked up with the Gazette to £400,624.