Yorkshire Cancer Research is no stranger to the groundbreaking work of scientists at Bradford University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics (ICT).

In fact, it has funded much of it.

Since 1999, the country’s largest regional medical research charity, based in Harrogate, has ploughed £4 million into the pioneering facility.

So when the idea of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal was raised, it was inevitable YCR would be involved.

Our campaign, with the charity, and principal supporter the Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust, will raise £1 million so the ICT can buy a new mass spectrometer – a state-of-the-art machine which could help its scientists pioneer new cancer treatments ten times faster than before.

It will also help further cement Bradford’s world-class reputation as a leader in the fight against the disease.

We need your help to smash our ambitious target and Charles Rowett, who joined the charity as its chief executive last June, last night urged people across Bradford to get involved.

“It’s a great cause, supporting the extremely worthwhile work the ICT is doing,” he said. “It could galvanise a city and I really hope people will get behind the cause.”

Mr Rowett, a former University of Bradford student, told how YCR has long backed the work of Professor Laurence Patterson, director of the ICT, and has provided two programme awards to him since 2005, totalling £2.3 million.

“We provide about 80 per cent of the funding for the ICT and have supported it for many years,” he said.

“It has been a pleasure for us to work with Laurence on a great deal of work which stands up to scientific rigor.

“We will always support the work of people we have backed for many years and Laurence and his research is a key part of our portfolio.

“This campaign will provide Laurence with the equipment he really needs to progress his work.

“It’s not something YCR can fund itself, so we are delighted to be working with the T&A, which has run similar successful campaigns in the past. We need to get support in the local area for something we do believe is very important.”

Mr Rowett said the charity had lent the campaign its ‘kitemark’ and believed it could help boost clinical trials in the city.

Last night he spoke to students at the University’s School of Management about the T&A Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal as he discussed the contribution charities make to the health and the social fabric of society.

“This is a very important campaign and for me, personally, it’s great to be back involved in Bradford.”