RESEARCH work to find a cure for a killer disease could be hindered without massive fund-raising efforts from big-hearted local clubs.

Chairman of Blackburn and Darwen Leukaemia Research Fund Mrs Mavis McDonald spoke out after learning that the charity would receive its biggest fund-raising donation of the year from Blackburn Borough Rotary Club.

She said: "Apart from money left to the charity in a will, Blackburn Borough Rotary will be the single biggest cheque we will receive this year.

"Without such donations the research would be disabled and the actual research programme could lose one of their researchers."

Blackburn Borough Rotary Club's £3,200 cheque is just one of many cash totals raised by fund-raising stunts in the community which help throw a lifeline to dozens of sufferers in the county who are affected by this life-threatening disease.

The cash from Blackburn Borough Rotary Club was raised with a whole host of events during 1995 and 1996, ranging from a fun run in Witton Park, supported by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, to a Las Vegas casino night.

Jack Magell, president of Blackburn Borough Rotary said: "One of our members died of leukaemia and a few of our relatives have died of the disease, so it is close to our hearts.

"We feel it is a very worthwhile charity and are delighted to be handing over the biggest cheque this year."

Mrs McDonald added: "We have a lot of donations from the community and the help from Rotary and Rotaract has been tremendous.

"At the present time the research programme for Leukaemia Research Fund is going ahead very well. There is only voluntary funding for it at the moment but children who contract leukaemia have a good chance of survival.

"But we haven't found a cure yet and need money to do it."

Mr Magell will present the cheque to Mrs McDonald for Leukaemia Research Fund at The Red House Motel, Cravens Brow in Darwen tomorrow at 7pm.

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