A drive to build a new breast care centre at Ipswich Hospital has captured the hearts of the public, passing the £100,000 mark just six months after the launch.

Ipswich Star: Katherine Simpson-Jacobs at the launch of the Blossom Appeal at Ipswich Hospital, holding her book 'What We Did When Mummy Got Cancer' Picture: PAGEPIXKatherine Simpson-Jacobs at the launch of the Blossom Appeal at Ipswich Hospital, holding her book 'What We Did When Mummy Got Cancer' Picture: PAGEPIX (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)

Fundraisers have backed The Blossom Appeal by holding garden parties, coffee mornings and asking for donations instead of gifts to mark wedding anniversaries.

Women’s Institute groups from east Suffolk have organised events to support the campaign, while dances have taken place in Woodbridge, Debenham and Kesgrave.

Around 30 daredevils have chosen to raise money for The Blossom Appeal by taking on the Super Hero Zip Line, from the top of the hospital’s iconic maternity building, this weekend.

Ipswich Hospital chief executive, Nick Hulme, will also back the cause next month by tackling the 191-mile Coast to Coast Walk in memory of his wife, Annette, who died of breast cancer in January.

The campaign aims to raise £2.5 million towards a new state-of-the-art facility which will bring all breast services under one roof.

Currently, patients have to visit three different locations during their care, which means they need to get dressed and undressed several times.

Katherine Simpson-Jacobs underwent treatment at Ipswich Hospital after being diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2013.

The survivor said the care offered at the trust was “brilliant”, but the facilities needed updating.

Mrs Simpson-Jacobs is a teacher at St Joseph’s College in Ipswich and has written a book to help parents break the news of a diagnosis to children.

“It would be amazing to have a facility that was brighter and fresher, somewhere that was a lot more reassuring,” added Mrs Simpson-Jacobs, who has been in remission for four years.

“When you are in top-class facilities you feel as though you are receiving top-class treatment and that makes you feel better about yourself.

“It would be nice to have a place where the overall atmosphere was better – a place that would better reflect the level of care patients do receive at Ipswich Hospital.”

The Ipswich Hospital Charity is now calling on people to keep the momentum going by getting behind a series of fundraising events planned for the coming months.

Mandy Jordan, head of charity and fundraising, said: “We are really grateful to everyone who has supported the appeal so far and helped us reach this important milestone.

“The new breast care centre will make a real difference to the experience which thousands of patients have each year when receiving care, so we would encourage anyone who is thinking of doing some fundraising over the summer to check out the events we’ve arranged. From skydives to sponsored cycles to family walks – there really is something for everyone.”

Events planned include a masquerade ball at Kersey Mill on June 22; a sponsored ‘Walk for Wards’ on July 8; the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in August and a skydive and cycling challenge, both taking place in September.

To get involved, call the charity team on 01473 702929 or visit The Blossom Appeal website.