A campaign to raise £714,000 to build a new support centre in Halesworth to provide help for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses has been given a boost thanks to the mystery donation of a rare microscope.

Halesworth Community Nursing Care Fund (HCNCF) launched the appeal last month and hopes to build the Information and Support Centre (ISC) on land next to Cutlers Hill Surgery in the town.

The 19th century Zeiss Jena microscope, complete with its original walnut case, was donated to HCNCF's charity shop, Dee's Den, by a local resident.

Unsure of how much it was worth, volunteers working for the charity approached Halesworth auctioneer David Metherell for advice. He advertised it online.

The microscope prompted a bidding war between two German collectors and sold for £3,800.

Ted Edwards, ISC chairman, said: 'For many years our local community have shown fantastic support for our charity shop. The donation of this rare antique is another example of their wonderful generosity. We expected the piece to raise around £100, so were left speechless when it finally sold for nearly £4,000. The money will be added to our running total for the ISC campaign which, thanks to the generosity of charitable trusts, local people and organisations, now stands at around £316,000.

'We would like to pass our thanks to everyone who has supported our campaign so far, and in particular to Dee and her team who run our shop, David Metherell who waived his commission for auctioning the microscope, and the lady who donated it. We would love to hear from her so we can thank her in person.'

The new centre will offer help understanding a diagnosis, counselling, bereavement support, financial and benefits advice, wig fitting and complementary therapies such as acupuncture and massage.

To make a donation visit www.halesworthhealth.org/information-and-support-centre

The person who donated the microscope can, if she wishes, contact Barbara Kell on 01986 785391.