THERE was a real 'buzz' when a hospital launched a £300,000 fundraising campaign.
Staff from the Countess of Chester kicked off B Positive at a cocktail party in Eaton Hall, home to the Duke and Duchess of Westminster.
B Positive aims to raise £300,000 within 12 months to extend and refurbish the Medical Day Unit (Ward 60) at the hospital.
A major part of the unit's work is to treat malignant and non-malignant blood diseases including leukaemia, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma.
Guests at the launch included patients, staff, businesses, charities and volunteers, who heard from consultant haematologist Dr Virginia Clough about the need to expand the unit.
Ward 60 was opened in 1994 by the Duchess of Westminster. Since then the range of treatments and the number of patients requiring treatment has hugely expanded.
The aim of the appeal is to double the clinical area and to provide a more pleasant and spacious environment.
Fundraising manager Janet Ratcliffe said: 'The launch was a great success.
'We received a brilliant response from all those attending and had offers from people to hold events for us.' nTo get involved in B Positive, telephone the fundraising office on 01244 366397.
