HAMPSHIRE County Council has shown its support to developing a state-of-the-art cancer facility in Basingstoke.

The country council has allocated a grant of £50,000 to go towards the Ark Cancer Centre Charity in a bid to reach its £5 million target for a new cancer facility.

The money was granted to the charity as part of the county council’s investing in Hampshire fund which provides grants to specific capital projects for the improvement or maintenance of assets or facilities within Hampshire.

So far the Ark Cancer Centre Charity has raised more than £1.9 million towards its target, and this additional funds gets them a step closer to breaking the £2 million barrier.

Merv Rees, Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee and a leading Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) consultant liver cancer surgeon said: “Everyone at Ark and HHFT is determined to deliver this cancer treatment centre which will make a massive difference to Hampshire residents in Basingstoke and beyond, and the county council’s significant contribution takes us a big step closer to achieving this goal.”

Ark Cancer Centre Charity aims to raise the funds to ensure the new centre is built to an enhanced standard and will provide a range of complementary therapies and support services alongside radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments.

The bulk of the funding for the new centre will come from the NHS, and it will be built by HHFT on the Basingstoke hospital site.

Leader of the county council, Cllr Roy Perry said: “Ark Cancer Centre Charity is raising funds to have this centre built so that patients and their families can receive the range of care and support they need under one roof, in a calm and peaceful environment.

“The county council has an excellent working relationship with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and this new centre will be a welcome addition to existing provision in the area.”

For more on the work Ark Cancer Centre Charity is doing or to find out how to donate visit arkcancercharity.org.uk.