A hospital appeal to improve prostate cancer treatment has been given a £100,000 boost thanks to two years of fundraising by three Norfolk charities.

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH)'s Targeted Radiotherapy Appeal (TRA) has received £20,000 from the Norfolk and Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group (NWPCSG), £30,000 from the Brundall Cancer Community Chest and £50,000 from Norfolk and Waveney's cancer charity Big C,

NNUH Chairman John Fry received cheques from each of the organisations at the annual general meeting of the NWPCSG.

Noel Warner, chairman of Norfolk and Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group, said: 'We were delighted to be involved with the appeal from the beginning and to make a difference. Our group continues to raise awareness of prostate cancer and is determined to provide support and help to those living or diagnosed with the illness.'

Daniel Williams, chief executive of Big C, said: 'We decided to back the TRA campaign from the beginning and we are very pleased to be part of this important step forward in improving local care for patients with cancer.'

Adrienne Capp, trustee of Brundall Cancer Community Chest, said: 'We wanted to benefit the people of Norfolk and Suffolk and to raise this amount of money we decided to really go for it.'

The hospital's charity wants to raise £600,000 so the NNUH can treat more cancer patients with a more targeted type of radiotherapy, called bracytherapy, which reduces treatment times and means patients can be treated closer to home.

The new facilities will mean NNUH will be able to treat more patients and become one of just 10 hospital trusts in the country offering prostate brachytherapy. Currently, men living in Norfolk who need prostate brachytherapy have to travel to Cambridge or London each time they need the treatment.

Louise Cook, fundraising manager for NNUH, said: 'We are incredibly grateful to the backing and financial support of the Norfolk and Waveney Prostate Cancer Support Group, Big C and the Brundall Cancer Community Chest.'

To donate to the appeal, text NNUH44 £10 to 70070, or visit www.justgiving.com/NNUH-TargetedRadiotherapyAppealDo you have story about why you are fundraising for a health charity? Call reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603 772474.