The Bath Cancer Unit Support Group is asking Wiltshire residents to use their time in self-isolation at home to help raise funds for Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

The BCUSG has seen some fundraising events postponed because of the pandemic but still needs to raise money for essential medical equipment and services for cancer patients at the RUH.

The charity has agreed to part-fund an advanced gamma camera which will provide full body images for cancer diagnosis in half the time it currently takes. This will allow more patients to be treated but the charity needs to raise £340,000 towards the cost of the camera which will be the first of its kind in the UK.

Other fundraising projects include a quiet room at the RUH where members of the Palliative Care and End of Life Team can talk confidentially with patients and their families in a peaceful setting.

The charity, which is also looking to fund a portable ultrasound scanner for the treatment of breast cancer patients, is challenging residents to find imaginative ways to raise money while stuck at home.

BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor said: “Group fundraising activities are on hold for the time being but that doesn’t mean that people can’t support the charity’s work while self-isolating. For example, you could organise an online pub quiz, virtual running challenge or an online sponsored shave – the possibilities are endless.

“Alternatively, you could consider making a donation to the charity and help us fund vital medical equipment for the cancer unit at the RUH.

“We are also looking for businesses to join us as corporate partners so that we can continue with the important work we do on behalf of cancer patients locally.”

The BCUSG would like to thank the online sexual wellbeing retailer Lovehoney which recently donated £1,500.

The charity would also like to thank local runners from who took part in the Bath Half Marathon - or who ran their own 13-mile route - and raised a total of £4,151 for the BCUSG. They include Karen Gibson and Steve Winter from Potterne, near Devizes, Steve Cade from North Bradley near Trowbridge, and staff from Lovehoney.

To donate to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, or to discuss becoming a corporate partner, please email Alan Webb at fundraising@bcusg.org or phone 07896 741233.