JUBILANT health chiefs and organisers of the East Lancashire SuperScan Appeal today told thousands of fund-raisers "Thanks a million!" as they smashed their target after just two-and-a-half years.

The heartfelt appreciation came from chairman of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley NHS Trust Ian Woolley and appeal Chairman Mike Trickett as a £50,000 legacy from Blackburn pensioner Albert Riley pushed the fund over the magic £1 million mark.

And they paid tribute to the thousands of East Lancashire people who have helped bring a piece of vital, potentially life-saving medical equipment to the region.

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner (MRI) has arrived at Blackburn Royal infirmary and should be ready to treat patients from across East Lancashire in July.

Mr Woolley said Mr Riley's donation was an "unbelievable gesture" that was typical of the warmth of the people of East Lancashire.

"I can hardly believe we have reached £1 million. When we started the appeal over two years ago that target looked a long way away and here we are - the machine is here!

Wonderful

"It really is 'thanks a million' to the people of East Lancashire for their unbelievable generosity without which we would not have this equipment for better health care." Mr Trickett added: "This is a wonderful achievement and I would like to thank everybody who has contributed in whatever way. There is a real sense of fulfilment for everybody connected with the appeal." Fund-raising for the appeal, which was strongly supported by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, quickly gathered pace following its launch in 1996. East Lancashire people viewed the ambitious £1 million target as a challenge and set about organising hundreds of fund-raising events.

Within months the appeal had smashed the £300,000 mark as an ever-growing army of fund-raisers arranged a myriad of weird, wacky and wonderful events. As the appeal grew, larger events including the Motorway SuperWalk along the new M65 motorway extension helped swell the fund by hundreds of thousands of pounds, while smaller donations continued to flood in.

An anonymous donation of £100,000 gave the appeal a terrific boost last summer and took the running total to more than £630,000. By the end of the last year the fund had topped £850,000 and the scanner was on its way. The powerful machine will be used to detect a range of life-threatening conditions including cancers, where early diagnosis and treatment could mean the difference between life and death.

Lancashire Evening Telegraph Editor Mr Peter Butterfield said: "I just knew that the people of East Lancashire would do it and I think they had a lot of fun along the way. The appeal was a real challenge for the people of this area and I'm pleased the Lancashire Evening Telegraph was able to support them all the way.

"I think the amount raised in the time is a phenomenal achievement which will vastly improve health care for everyone in the area."

See also: Parting gift from Albert, 97

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