A FUND aiming to raise enough money to completely transform a hospital’s cancer ward has received a massive financial boost.

The Woolverstone Wish fund was launched in September 2009 to raise money to refurbish the chemotherapy outpatient clinics and day unit in the Woolverstone Wing of Ipswich Hospital.

The aim of the fund is to raise �800,000 to increase the space, improve privacy for patients and provide a more comfortable treatment area.

The cramped conditions on the oncology ward mean patients are often forced to receive chemotherapy in corridors due to a major shortage of treatment rooms.

Margaret Hayward and the Wish You Well committee held a special ball to raise funds for the worthy cause.

And today, thanks to kind fundraisers, the fund has received a donation of more than �9,000.

“They need to raise such a massive amount of money and we were all delighted to raise �9,000 for them,” she said.

“We just wanted to do what we could because some of the people on the committee have had personal experiences of the oncology ward at the hospital.”

The donation means the cause has raised close to �300,000.

Cheryl Thayer, chairwoman of the Woolverstone Wish, said that increasing privacy and space was vital for the ward.

Macmillan Cancer Support has been carrying out a feasibility study at Ipswich Hospital to assess whether it could join forces with the Woolverstone Wish to get a new cancer ward.

The decision had been expected by the end of year, however Macmillan are yet to come to a decision and it not yet known when the announcement will be made. It is hoped a partnership would help the fund get even closer to its target.