Patients in the Urology Unit at Good Hope Hospital, part of the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, will benefit from a vital new machine thanks to the generosity of fundraisers in Streetly.

Around £3,800 raised at the annual Streetly Christmas Market last year was donated to the Prostate Cancer Support Group in Sutton Coldfield. The majority of the money has been used to purchase a Flow Rate Machine, an important tool in the treatment of prostate cancer, for Good Hope’s Urology Unit, with any money left over used by the group to buy books for patients.

The Christmas Market is organised by Warren Wright, owner of Mocha Coffee Lounge in Streetly, and he explained why they wanted to raise funds for prostate cancer.

He said: “We have raised funds for a variety of different causes over the years and wanted to do it for something personal to us and we have seen a few of our customers diagnosed with prostate cancer so we wanted to raise funds for that.

“The Christmas Market went really well with over 5,000 people attending and it really brings the community and churches together with the local choir singing carols, 50 stalls and Rosie O’Sullivan from Britain’s Got Talent also performing.”

Joe Dyke, Chairman of the Prostate Cancer Support Group in Sutton Coldfield and who has been living with the condition for 15 years, said he was grateful to the organisers of the Christmas Market and to use the money for such a good cause.

He said: “This machine will be used by many patients with prostate cancer at Good Hope on a regular basis and will help in the diagnosis of other patients having urinary symptoms which are not cancer related. I have had tremendous treatment myself at Good Hope so it is great to be able to give something back to them.”

Nula Allen, Senior Urology Nurse Specialist at Good Hope, said: “The flow rate machine is a vital piece of equipment. It will be used numerous times throughout the week and helps us diagnose disorders for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms.

“Patients who have had treatment for prostate cancer often require this test to ensure they are recovering from their surgery/radiotherapy. Brachytherapy, a treatment for prostate cancer, also requires this test prior to patients being considered for the treatment.

“The unit is so grateful to Warren and Joe for their support and to everyone who helped raise the money to fund this vital piece of equipment.”

If you are interested in raising money for your local hospital, or a particular department, contact the Fundraising Team on 0121 424 3838 or email: fundraising@heartofengland.nhs.uk