DEDICATED Ark Day fundraisers have generated in excess of £20,000 for a cancer centre charity cause, organisers have revealed.

Hundreds of people came together on Friday with one aim - bringing the dream of a cancer treatment centre at Basingstoke hospital one step closer to fruition.

It will be some weeks before the final Ark Day fundraising total is known, but the Gazette can reveal at least £20,000 has been raised.

Ark Day consisted of schools, businesses and individuals taking on fundraising activities in support of Ark Cancer Centre Charity’s £5m appeal for the new centre.

Merv Rees, Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee and renowned liver cancer surgeon who has been at the forefront of the cancer treatment centre campaign, said: “Ark Day was absolutely awesome.

“Thank you to everyone who helped to make it happen – particularly the members of the Ark Day Organising Committee – thank you to everyone who took part in events and activities, and thank you to everybody who made a donation.

“It was amazing, and humbling, to see so many people of all ages getting involved in, and supporting, Ark Day across Basingstoke and Deane. This has been a wonderful community campaign which has succeeded in raising a substantial amount for Ark Cancer Centre Charity’s £5million appeal to help fund the new Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust cancer treatment centre, and it has also achieved the goal of raising awareness of the charity and project among a much wider audience.”

Mr Rees added that it will be some weeks before the final Ark Day fundraising total is known, and he encouraged any individuals, businesses or organisations who have still to get donations in to go to Metro Bank’s Basingstoke store where deposits can be made into the Ark Day account.

See tomorrow's Gazette for Ark Day coverage and pictures from across the Basingstoke area.