MASSIVE amounts of money are coming in to Raise the Roof and help in the battle against cancer.Since the Raise the Roof appeal was launched in April a huge £33, 404 has come in to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk and the Evening Star.

MASSIVE amounts of money are coming in to Raise the Roof and help in the battle against cancer.

Since the Raise the Roof appeal was launched in April a huge £33, 404 has come in to Cancer Campaign in Suffolk and the Evening Star.

Sponsored walks and runs, a ladies driving challenge, open gardens and even casserole parties are all helping to raise the final £100,000 needed to build a cancer education and information centre at Ipswich Hospital.

Other events that have taken place include a boxing evening in Bury St Edmunds, an Old Time Music Hall event organised by Ipswich Rotary Club, which raised £2,000 and a carpet bowls event at Nayland Bowls Club.

Cancer Campaign in Suffolk launched the project in 1998 and raised around £200,000.

In April the Evening Star launched the Raise the Roof appeal for the final £100,000.

Gina Cooper is secretary and fundraising manager for CCIS. She said she has been inundated with calls to do sponsored events.

She said: "I am really pleased that this amount of money has come in within two and a half months.

"We have had some huge amounts."

There are lots of ways to get involved in helping to get the centre built.

One way is to sell draw tickets as part of sponsored challenges or at fundraising events.

First prizes are £2,000, second prize £1,000 and third prize £500.

Tickets are £1 each and are in books of five.

They are available from Gina Cooper at the Cancer Campaign in Suffolk office on 01728 723725.

n. Donations, made payable to Raise the Roof, should be sent to Geraldine Thompson, Editor's secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN.

WEBLINK: www.cancerinsuffolk.co.uk

PANEL:

£300,000 is needed to build the cancer education and information centre at Ipswich Hospital.

It is intended to be for the use of all sectors of the community to learn about various aspects of the disease.

There will be information about how to avoid the risks of developing cancer, information about self-examination and screening and where to go if you suspect that you may have a problem.

And it is not just for the patients. Carers and families could find it useful to find out how their loved-one's illness could progress, what benefits are available to them and information about other charities.

It is also hoped there will be private rooms for patients and families to talk with specialists, drinks areas, the Internet and professionals also on hand to help out with information.