A CANCER centre charity appeal has passed a key milestone following the success of its latest fundraising event.

Has Hampshire Got Views For You! combined Question Time and Have I Got News For You? as it pulled in more than £53,000 for the Ark Cancer Centre Charity appeal through ticket sales, a raffle and donations – taking the £5million fundraising campaign through the £500,000 mark.

The high-profile panel who answered questions, including some from the 200-strong audience, comprised Conservative South East England MEP Daniel Hannan, London Labour MEP Lucy Anderson, businesswoman Nicola Horlick and author and classical record producer Alexander Waugh.

Paul Hardy, a barrister and legal adviser on European law to the House of Lords, was the man in the middle as he chaired the event in the grounds of Basingstoke hospital.

The panellists answered a wide range of questions, including whether Islamic State or Russian president Vladimir Putin poses the biggest threat to Europe – the panel plumped for Putin – and which European leader they would like to be stuck in a lift with. German Chancellor Angela Merkel proved to be the most popular answer.

Merv Rees, a trustee of the cancer centre charity, gave the audience an update on the progress of the £18.5million project, which will serve patients from Andover and the surrounding area. The preferred location for the centre is next to a proposed £150m critical treatment hospital on land close to junction 7 of the M3 near North Waltham.

While most of the funds for the centre will come from Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the charity’s £5m appeal will ensure that patients and their families can receive enhanced supportive care in a state-of-the-art environment.

Mr Rees said: “I would like to thank everyone involved in organising, taking part in, and supporting this splendid fundraising event.”