A SUPPORT group helping men in Worcestershire battling prostate cancer has raised a massive £5,000 towards an appeal to buy a state-of-the-art surgical machine.

The Kidderminster and District Prostate Cancer Support Group, now in its fifteenth year, raised the cash for Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust’s Rory the Robot appeal through a number of fundraising projects.

The machine, which will be based at Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital, will allow surgeons to treat prostate cancer patients with less pain, minimal blood loss and much quicker recovery times.

Handing over the cash, the group’s chairman Paul Brothwell said the benefits of the new equipment would be “huge”.

“Our members are keen to support the appeal and are already making plans for future fundraising events,” he said.

The trust’s lead cancer clinician Adel Makar described the amount raised as “fantastic”.

“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK,” he said. “The more people we can get behind our appeal, the sooner we can start improving treatment for our patients.”

For more information on the appeal call 01905 760 551 or visit www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/rorytherobot.