A MYSTERY reader has boosted the Raise the Roof campaign by a huge £1,000.The reader, a pensioner from Martlesham Heath decided to donate the money because so many people she has known throughout the years have died from cancer.

A MYSTERY reader has boosted the Raise the Roof campaign by a huge £1,000.

The reader, a pensioner from Martlesham Heath decided to donate the money because so many people she has known throughout the years have died from cancer.

She decided to give £100 each in memory of the ten people that she has lost to the disease.

In a touching letter to the Evening Star, she said: "I read the article about Raise the Roof and reflected upon all the close friends I have lost through they years, from my mother in 1934 and all to the scourge of cancer.

"I realised this number was ten and I felt, as a lucky girl of 78 that I wanted to contribute £100 each in their memory."

The Evening Star has joined hands with Cancer Campaign in Suffolk (CCIS) in a bid to raise £100,000 to help build a Cancer Education and Information Centre at Ipswich Hospital.

Since we launched the campaign last week more than £2,000 has already been given to help us on our way.

CCIS started this major project in 1998 and so far have raised around £210,000 but with a little help from the Evening Star are hoping to make that more than £300,000.

If they are successful, building work could begin on the centre by the end of the year.

For the mystery reader, this centre is extremely important.

She said: "People need to have the chance for an early warning.

"There does not seem to be enough early warning signs for people."

n. Readers can help the project by giving donations or getting involved in fundraising.

Let us know about your fundraising events by calling the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324789 or e-mail us at StarNews@eveningstar.co.uk.

Donations can be made out to Raise the Roof and sent to Geraldine Thompson, Editor's Secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.

RAISE THE ROOF PANEL:

The Evening Star launched the Raise the Roof campaign to help Cancer Campaign in Suffolk raise the final £100,000 to put the roof on the cancer information centre.

Anyone with cancer will tell you that it is so difficult to take in any information when you have just been given such devastating news.

But with the planned new centre, the Internet will be available along with professionals for patients to find out what their condition means to them in their own time.

There will also be quiet places available for relatives or carers to be able to talk to consultants about the future for their loved ones and what the illness could involve.

The centre is also there for all sectors of the community to learn about the varieties of the disease, how to avoid risks of developing cancer, information about self-examination and what to do if you suspect a problem.

WEBLINKS: www.ipswichhospital.org.uk

www.cancercampaigninsuffolk.co.uk