Cobalt Unit celebrates 40th anniversary (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cobalt Unit celebrates 40th anniversary

PEOPLE across Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire and border areas, who have supported the Cobalt Unit Appeal Fund, are invited to be part of a special Celebration Concert on Friday, March 19.

The event will mark 40 years since the medical charity was founded in 1964 by its chairman, Dr Fred Hanna, OBE.

The concert takes place in Christ Church, Malvern Road Cheltenham and is free by ticket obtained by telephoning 01242 535900 during office hours.

The evening, which begins at 7.30pm, is sponsored by Sandy Powell whose late wife Ivy, a long serving, energetic and enthusiastic supporter, died from cancer two years ago.

Taking part are the much acclaimed Stuart Singers from Minchinhampton and award-winning pianist Michelle Chan, a fourth year student at Cheltenham Ladies' College.

The evening will be compered by the Rev Geoff Crago of BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

In 1964 Dr Hanna, then consultant radiotherapist at Cheltenham General Hospital, challenged the local community to raise funds to buy a Cobalt Radiotherapy Unit.

Within a year the £56,000 target had been reached and a staggering £88,000 raised. Building work began in 1965 and the Unit was opened in 1966.

Since then the Appeal Fund has raised millions of pounds to buy ground breaking pioneering diagnostic and treatment facilites to complement the existing NHS services.