A CANCER charity which supports innovative research at Basingstoke hospital hosted a glamorous evening as it marked a quarter of a century of work.

Past and present trustees of Pelican Cancer Foundation were joined by supporters, staff and surgeons for a sparkling fundraising evening to toast the charity’s success over the past 25 years in helping further research and education into bowel, liver, bladder and prostate cancers.

Held at The Ark Conference Centre, where the charity is based, on Friday, 19 January, the celebration included a drinks reception, dinner and the launch of the Pelican Anniversary Rose.

During the event many guests pledged to pay £25 a month throughout the year and receive a scented white rose as a floral memento of Pelican, raising around £8,000 to support two clinical research trials.

Pelican Cancer Foundation was founded 25 years ago by Professor Bill Heald, Sir Peter Michael and Dr John Fowler at Basingstoke hospital. Its pioneering achievements have made Basingstoke recognised across the world as a centre of excellence and innovation in the treatment of bowel cancer.

Professor Heald continues to give lectures and demonstrate his ground-breaking TME bowel cancer surgery in over 50 countries.

He said: “Pelican is the lasting testament to what a small charity can achieve in clinical research.

“There is one field in which Basingstoke is known throughout the world – cancer of the bowel.

Support for Pelican will enable continuation and building on the unique achievements of the past for the benefit of patients locally, nationally and throughout the world.”

Pelican’s chief executive Sarah Crane, who has organised the charity’s cutting-edge programme of workshops and conferences for more than 13,000 medical professionals since 2000, said: “It is with great pleasure and huge pride that we are celebrating Pelican’s 25th year – making a real difference in saving people’s lives and helping cancer patients live better for longer.

“We bring together cancer surgeons and teams to encourage learning, collaboration and discussion.

“Our focus is on precision surgery, which cures more people than any other cancer intervention.

Our charity is the only one that works with multi-disciplinary clinicians on research and embeds changes of practice through workshops and conferences.”

In Pelican’s 25th year, people who donate £25 a month will receive a commemorative flower. To find out more visit pelicancancer.

org/support-us-in-our-25th-yearwith-a-monthly-donation.