Cancer Appeal Receives £1,000

Released On 23rd May 2017

The Charitable Trust of Battens Solicitors, one of the South West’s leading law firms, has donated £1,000 in response to a £1.75m Cancer Appeal from Dorset County Hospital Charity. The Appeal aims to raise funds to support a dedicated radiotherapy service that will provide treatment to more than 5,000 cancer patients and their families from North, South and West Dorset every year, including some cancer patients from the Yeovil area who currently have to travel to Taunton for treatment.

The service, which will run from a new building at Dorset County Hospital, will house a dedicated cancer outpatients unit complete with private rooms for consultations, counselling, and alternative therapies.

Poole Hospital - which has benefitted from a £3m legacy from Poole businessman Robert White – has promised £7.4m to fund the construction of the radiotherapy unit and the purchase of two Linear Accelerator machines (LINACs) which are central to the treatment cancer patients will receive. The Appeal is also raising money to overhaul Dorset County Hospital’s Chemotherapy department providing space for friends and family to sit with loved ones undergoing chemotherapy.

Currently relatives must wait elsewhere in the hospital until treatment is over; it is envisaged that this new space will be of huge benefit to patients needing support during chemotherapy. Simon Pearson, Head of Fundraising, Dorset County Hospital Charity, said: “We are very grateful for the generous donation from the Battens Charitable Trust in support of our Cancer Appeal. Thanks to their support we have moved one step closer to achieving our aim of building a world class cancer unit at Dorset County Hospital.”

Ray Edwards, a director at Battens Solicitors and a Trustee of its Charitable Trust said: “We are delighted to have been able to donate £1,000 to the Cancer Appeal. Our thanks go out to everyone who has supported our Charitable Trust. It has become greatly respected for its community focus over the years, but without the generosity of the people who donate to it, we would not be able to help fantastic causes like this Cancer Appeal.”

Battens’ Charitable Trust was set up in 1985 to support local initiatives, charities and other worthy causes. Contributions are made by Battens Solicitors and by legacies left by Battens’ clients who wish to retain flexibility in the money they leave to charity, or who simply want to benefit local causes but are uncertain which ones to donate to.

The Trust has donated more than £500,000 to good causes in just over 20 years – a phenomenal achievement. If you would like to make a donation to Battens Solicitors’ Charitable Trust or apply for a grant, please contact The Trust’s team by emailing bct@battens.co.uk or by calling 01935 846000.