A GROUP of local businesspeople and Rotarians has raised £10,000 in aid of the Stars Appeal Breast Cancer Unit Campaign.

The money was raised by the Salisbury Rotary & Chamber Community Group by running a Corporate Quiz in the Art Centre in February and a Corporate Golf Day at Salisbury & South Wilts Golf Club.

Local businessman Keith Hanson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to raise so much money for such a good cause.

“Both our quiz and our inaugural golf competition were fully booked, so our thanks go out to all the businesses who took part.”

A dedicated breast unit will directly benefit some 4,500 local women, and a small number of men, each year.

Vicky Brown, Consultant Breast Surgeon, said: “The new unit will enable us to provide faster diagnosis and treatment in a purpose built environment. It will also help us ensure that we can deliver the very best possible care to our patients.”

Dave Cates, the hospital’s director of fundraising, added “With breast cancers treated in Salisbury up by nearly 40 per cent in the past two years, support from the Rotary & Chamber Community Group and others has never been more important.”