The Rotary Club of Bungay presented a cheque for £3000 to Cancer Research UK at its evening meeting last Tuesday at The Fleece public house.

The Club’s immediate past president, Howard Birch handed the cheque to Tom Bamford, the local fundraising manager for the charity.

Every year the club president picks a main charity for the year, usually one that is close to their heart.

As in all walks of life, Bungay Rotary Club has had its encounters with cancer, and a number of members have sadly passed away due to the disease over the years.

However, the work of Cancer Research UK has contributed greatly to better treatment of the disease, and this work has personally affected three members of the club who have survived cancer in recent years.

Howard Birch was joined at the presentation by his colleagues Lawrie Cannard and Eric Williams as all three are cancer survivors. Howard’s partner Brenda has also survived since her initial diagnosis over 30 years ago.

“I chose this particular charity due to my successful treatment in 2006,” said Mr Birch,

“it certainly makes a change to the way you look at life, as I’m sure Lawrie, Eric and Brenda will agree.

It’s great to hear what great steps forward the charity is making in the treatment that can now be offered to help people like us survive for so many years.”

The money was raised by Christmas street collections and at Rainbow Superstore.

The people of Bungay showed their usual great generosity, and many people told the collectors of their own stories of the effect cancer had had on their lives.

Money was also raised at beetle drives, the Charter Night raffle, and by the legendary human fruit machine at Bungay Street Fairs, together with various personal donations.

Bungay Rotary Club would like to sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the £3000 total.