Fundraising efforts to help build Cornwall’s only cancer support and information centre at the Royal Cornwall Hospital site in Truro have reached new heights, with the announcement that over £763,000 has been raised or pledged to fund the building of The Cove Macmillan Support Centre.

The Cove appeal, which has been running since late 2014, aims to raise £1 million to help fund the total cost of £3.5 million Macmillan Cancer Support need to build and staff the centre which will open later this year.

Local fundraising manager Emma Wright is delighted with the way in which people, groups, clubs, schools and businesses have got behind The Cove. "We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has contributed to The Cove Macmillan Support Centre so far, and we are proud to see the building now under construction and heading towards an opening in late summer of this year," she said. "The Cove will help anyone affected by cancer, and we believe around 13,000 people will use it in some way during its first year of opening.

“People from across the county have organised events and fundraised for The Cove and the momentum has really stepped up in 2016. We have people running the London Marathon for us, huge support from the Freemasons in Cornwall, golf clubs holding tournaments and schools organising cake bakes.

“The support of the people of Cornwall has been wonderful, and now we need you to really help us raise the last £237,000 and make sure no one in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly faces cancer alone in the future."

There are so many ways to become involved in the appeal. You can make a straight forward donation online at macmillanbuilds.co.uk, or by calling 0300 1000 200. You can also send a cheque made payable to Macmillan Cancer Support to Freepost, The Macmillan Cove Appeal.

If you would like to organise an event and raise money call the fundraising team on 0300 1000 200 or register your event on line for a free fundraising pack at macmillan.org.uk/yourevent.

Macmillan Cancer Support area fundraising manager for Cornwall, Devon and the Isles of Scilly Suzie Warren added: “It’s so exciting to see The Cove become a reality, and so much has already been achieved. I would ask that as many people as possible help us with the last push to get the job done. Give us a call, talk to us on Twitter or Facebook, tell us your stories on our blog and let’s raise that last £237,000 for everyone in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly that need it so very much.”