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28 August 2004

 Treasurer Tony Newman has notched up 25 years at a Bath cancer charity and has helped it raise more than £2.5m. Now he has decided to retire and the charity is looking for someone else to take over his valued and vital role.

Mr Newman first took on the mantle of treasurer for the Bath Cancer Appeal in 1979, as a tribute to his wife Jean, who died of cancer.

The appeal was formed in that same year to raise cash to buy a radiotherapy machine for the Royal United Hospital, and it later became the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG).

Mr Newman, 79, said: "I got involved because it was an emotive subject for me and I wanted to offer my services in memory of my wife, Jean.

"There are so many people doing wonderful work and we get tremendous support from the public."

Mr Newman, who lives in Weston, started his career as a bookkeeper and retired from his job in the RUH accounts department in 1990.

During the past 25 years, the BCUSG has bought or helped to pay for many items including a new reception area, a chemotherapy unit, an in- house pharmacy and the William Budd Day Care Unit, which was opened earlier this year.

Janet Crane, superintendent radiographer at the RUH's radiotherapy department, said: "For the past 20 years Mr Newman has made an enormous contribution to the BCUSG, helping to raise around £2.5m to improve cancer services for patients with cancer.

"The staff in the oncology department are extremely grateful to Mr Newman and the other members of the group who made such an enormous contribution to the care and treatment of these patients."

John Carter, chairman of the charity, said: "We could not have wished for a more effective and committed treasurer. In his twenty years as Honorary Treasurer Tony only ever missed two meetings".