Cancer unit is given a £1.2k thank you

A restaurateur who saw his mother and aunt battle cancer has presented Stafford Hospital with more than £1,200.

Oz Munir, owner of the town's Ashiana restaurant, in Foregate Street, collected £1,275 for the chemotherapy and treatment unit.

Mr Munir lost his mother to breast cancer 15 years ago and was devastated when his aunt, Aziza Munir was also diagnosed.

The 36-year-old accompanied Mrs Munir to all of her appointments at the Weston Road hospital and said he was bowled over with the high standards of care.

He said: "This was my chance to give something back to the hospital, to say thank you for everything it has done for myself, my aunt and my family. While being with my aunt throughout her treatment, I got to know all the girls on the unit and was very impressed with how nice the patient environment was and how helpful and supportive the team were."

Mr Munir raised the cash during the relocation of his restaurant, which specialises in Kashmir cuisine. On the opening night of the new facility, formerly The Rose Of Kashmir, he invited regular customers, friends and relatives to a free buffet and drinks and asked them to make a donation of at least £5.

Mr Munir's aunt is now in remission and living in Pakistan, he said the treatment she received at Stafford Hospital played a huge part in saving her life.

"Treatment has come such a long way since my mother was diagnosed," he said. "It's a lot quicker and more efficient from diagnosis all the way through. I realise I was a lot younger then but the care almost seemed cold, compared to the experience I had at Stafford."

Clair Turner, chemotherapy and treatment unit manager, said everyone was thrilled with the donation. She said: "We are delighted to have received such a generous donation from Mr Munir and would like to thank everyone who gave money at the opening night of his new restaurant. It's lovely that the work we do is recognised in such a way and we look forward to putting it to good use."