A community has pulled together to buy a vital piece of medical equipment for a town surgery.

Bungay Medical Centre now has a brand new bladder scanner, thanks to the generosity of local businesses, organisations and the people living there.

Chris Spooner, president of Bungay Area Lions Club identified the need for the scanner and with the support of last year’s mayor Terry Reeve, the pair launched an appeal to raise the £7,000 needed.

The money, which totalled £7875, was raised by the end of Mr Reeve’s term of office in May.

This week during a ceremony at the medical centre the scanner was formally presented to the doctors and nurses, along with a cheque for the cost.

It was accepted by Dr Andrew Emmerson and practice manager Sarah Harris, watched by other doctors, nurses, Lions Club members and many who donated to the cause.

Mr Spooner said: “When the appeal was launched, raising the money by May seemed a big challenge, but it was achieved in six months. As well as many generous donations, well over £1000 came from Lions’ fundraising events, including the classic car rally in May, and more than £900 from the mayor’s charity concert at the Fisher Theatre.”

Mr Reeve thanked the town for its response: “The success of any appeal depends on the response from the community to which the appeal is made – and once again the Bungay community came up trumps and showed its support for our fine medical centre.”

Dr Emmerson said the scanner would be of great value to the practice as it would make life easier for doctors and community nurses, as well as patients with bladder problems as in many cases it would mean a catheter was not needed.

Until now the practice has had to borrow a scanner from elsewhere.

Dr Emmerson thanked everyone who contributed to the appeal.

Caption: 1) Dr Andrew Emmerson holding the scanner, with, left to right, Terry Reeve, Chris Spooner and practice manager Sarah Harris.

2) The scanner and the cheque, with doctors, nurses, Lions members and many of those who made donations to the appeal.