Helston’s natural food and health store has played its part in helping to raise £1 million towards a new £2.8 million cancer care centre for Cornwall.

The Natural Store at The Parade held a raffle in the run up to Christmas, giving customers the chance to win a basket made by local craftsperson Lin Lovekin, filled with festive goodies.

Tickets were sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support’s appeal for a new support centre, The Cove, to be built on the grounds of the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

It is a cause close to store manager Heather Cheney’s heart, as her husband John is currently battling the disease.

She said: “It’s very dear to my heart. The Cove is going to be a support centre for people who have cancer and their families and friends; I think it’s so important.

“There’s such little support out there for people living with people with cancer. Finding out any information, if going through treatment, is really hard.

“It will be lovely to have somewhere you can talk to people and find out what to do if you’re worried.”

Last Friday Heather presented a cheque for £185, the proceeds of the raffle, to Macmillan fundraiser Mariquita Hichens from Falmouth, on behalf of the charity.

It is a contribution towards the £1 million that needs to be raised by the people of Cornwall, after Macmillan pledged the remaining £1.8 million to make the centre a reality.

Heather said she was pleased with how the fundraiser went, which also gave her the chance to spread awareness of the centre appeal.

“It was really nice that people contributed and bought the raffle tickets. A lot of people didn’t know about the centre, so that was nice to be able to spread some information around the population,” she added.

The hamper was won by regular Natural Store customer Jenny Stephens, from the Lizard Peninsula.