Supermarket shoppers helped the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.

Asda customers voted for the appeal using green coins given to them at the checkouts at its store in Cemetery Road throughout January and February.

The plastic tokens can be posted into one of three boxes, each representing a different local charity nominated by shoppers, and as a result the Crocus Appeal total has gone up by £200.

The Appeal aims to raise £1 million to buy a specialist piece of equipment – a proteomics mass spectrometer – which can be used by researchers at the University of Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics. It could increase the pace at which experts can discover cancer medicines of the future.

The machine will allow scientists to understand the vital role that certain proteins play in the spread of cancerous cells. A clearer understanding of which proteins enable cancer progression will leave scientists much better-placed to design targeted cancer medicines.

The Appeal is run by the T&A, the University of Bradford, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust.

University development officer Victoria Collins said: “Thank you to Asda and their customers for this generous donation. The continued support of local businesses is really important in helping us reach our goal of raising £1 million.”

Ingrid Fernandes, Community Life Champion at the store, said: “We’re really pleased to be awarding this cheque to the Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal.”

Anyone can back the appeal and we are especially keen to get people signed up for a special Crocus Week runs from May 10 to 18. As part of that, brave volunteers can join an abseil down the side of Jury’s Inn in Bradford on Saturday, May 10.

We’re also keen to get as many children and schools involved in the appeal.

To take part, contact Victoria Collins at v.collins@bradford. ac. uk or call (01274) 233165. More information is also at crocus.brad.ac.uk/fundraise.

e-mail: julie.tickner@telegraphandargus.co.uk