CREWE Cancer Unit should be up and running early in the New Year, thanks to supporters pushing the fund past the £800,000 mark.

Macmillan Cancer Support, which launched the appeal last September, has already banked more than £550,000 after an over-whelming response by Chronicle readers.

A further £255,000 is coming from the National Gardens scheme where people across Cheshire open their gardens to the public for a donation to charity.

With all that banked, the £1m target will be in sight and community fundraisers, based at Leighton Hospital, hope to see one final push to make the magic million a reality.

Keen supporters have been members of Rease-heath Golf Club who this week handed over a further £625 to the fund, on top of the £1,000 they donated earlier this year.

The money was raised by fundraisers including raffles and prize draws, as well as a charity golf day, the captains' and presidents' days and the annual golf club dinner.

There is also a 'captain's bunker' scheme - where golfers were asked to pay 50p every time they land in a bunker chosen by the captain.

Club president, Richard Chapman, said: 'It's a great cause and it's wonderful to know the money we have raised will be helping people in the local area.'

The building of the new Macmillan Cancer Unit at Leighton Hospital is scheduled for completion at the end of the year.

Community fundraiser, Alice Edmond, said: 'The centre will transform cancer care in South Cheshire

GRAND PLAN: An artist's impression of what the new cancer unit will look like. and avoid local people travelling to Manchester for chemotherapy treatment because of a current lack of space and facilities at Leighton Hospital.'

She added: 'It is wonderful to have the support of Reaseheath Golf Club.'

How you can help

To help the Crewe Cancer Unit Appeal, phone Macmillan fundraising manager Rebecca Bishop or Alice Edmond on 01270 273528 or drop into the appeal office in the main reception of Leighton Hospital.

You can also visit the Macmillan website at www.macmillan.org.uk/cheshire

Chronicle readers are also invited to tell us about their events to help the appeal so we can publicise them on our appeal pages.

Phone the newsroom on 01270 502430, pop into our office at 32-34 Victoria Street, Crewe, or e-mail us at crewe.news@cheshirenews.co.uk.