Express & Star

Celebrities back £1m Birmingham cancer centre appeal - with video

[gallery]A £1 million appeal to fund the expansion of a 'globally significant' centre for life-saving cancer treatment has been backed by several celebrities.

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Cure Leukaemia's appeal to double the size of the Centre for Clinical Haematology (CCH) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham was launched in the city centre on Tuesday night.

Watch the video here:

West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster, cricketer Jonathan Trott, football manager Aidy Boothroyd, X-Factor winner Sam Bailey and former footballer and blood cancer survivor and former Wolves star Geoff Thomas all took part.

Professor Charlie Craddock CBE, who co-founded Cure Leukaemia with entrepreneur and patient Graham Silk,

labelled the centre as being on the brink of a 'genuine therapeutic revolution' against the battle with blood cancer.

He said: "This is an incredibly exciting time. Birmingham is leading the way for the world and this new expansion will allow us to so many more lives.

"Once established, the centre's capacity for research nurse positions, clinical trials and patients treated will be doubled.

Over 100 jobs will be created; further enhancing Birmingham's reputation for clinical excellence in the life science sector."

Since the CCH was opened in 2006 by patrons Geoff Thomas and Ashley Giles MBE patients have been able to access a portfolio of over 25 groundbreaking clinical trials that were not available through standard care.

The success of the programme has resulted in the centre running at maximum capacity.

Geoff will also be taking part in a major cycling event taking place in 2017 to raise funds, called the 'Three Tour Challenge.'

Five amateur cyclists, including Geoff, will be cycling the Giro D'Italia, Le Tour de France and La Vuelta in Spain consecutively, one day ahead of the professional riders.

He explained: "In 2003 I was given three months to live. I saw too many young people lose their battle, so I realised that patients have the power to make a difference, and that's what I want to continue to do."

The Local Growth Fund (LGF) has already granted £2.45m to allow work to begin on the project this year and by the autumn the expanded centre will be ready to treat patients.

Cure Leukaemia has made a commitment to raise the additional £1million by December 31 this year to ensure this project is fully funded.

Premier League star Ben Foster said he got involved after supporting Geoff with one of his cycling challenges. Speaking to the Express & Star, he said: "The work that they do gives people a chance.

"Hearing stories and seeing what people go through really made me want to get involved.

"You may even see me at the end of matches going up to opposition players and getting shirts, I then send to Cure Leukaemia to help their appeal."

X Factor winner Sam Bailey said that she would be 'using her voice' to encourage people to donate and take part in fundraising events across the UK. She added: "I was touched when I heard that one of my daughters school friends had cancer, and you feel you need to do something to help."

Around 100 key figures from the West Midlands region also attended the launch at the offices of charity partner KPMG in Birmingham including candidate for Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street CBE.

Donations to the appeal can be made here via Just Giving.

Keen cyclists can also join Geoff and the team for some or all of the cycling challenge with a range of packages available to take part.

To find out more go to the Three Tour Challenge website online.

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