A sod-cutting ceremony took place at Bradford Royal Infirmary yesterday signifying the start of a building programme which will see the construction of the country's first dedicated cochlear implant centre.

The first turf for the Listening for Life Centre, which will house the Yorkshire Cochlear Implant Service, was cut by the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Robin Owens.

Coun Owens has made the Telegraph & Argus backed Listening for Life Appeal one of his charities for the year along with the Daisy Appeal, which is raising money to build a new cancer support centre in the grounds of BRI.

As Coun Owens cut the first sod he was observed by Miles Scott, chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, representatives of York House Construction, who will carry out the building work, Chris Raine, ENT consultant, who introduced the cochlear implant service to Bradford in 1990, his colleague ENT consultant David Strachan, and vice-chairman of the hospital trust's board of governors Nora Whitham.

The ceremony was the culmination of years of fundraising by the people of Bradford who have enabled The Ear Trust, a charity set up by Mr Raine to support the work of the YCIS, to raise more than £1million.

However, there is still a long way to go to complete the project and in conjunction with the T&A, the Ear Trust has to raise a further £1.5million to achieve the dream of a state-of-the art building to house the cochlear implant service.

Mr Raine began performing cochlear implants operations back in 1990 and along with his colleagues has transformed the lives of more than 400 profoundly deaf people by opening up a hearing world for them.

The service performs about ten per cent of all implant operations in England but with its success and increasing numbers of referrals, it needs to build a purpose-built centre, the only one of its kind in the UK.

Apart from cochlear implant surgery itself, the centre will host all the other related work, such as pre-testing and follow-up support to take place under one roof. There will also be a training suite for courses for professionals, people with implants and family.

Fundraising events for the new centre so far have included bungee jumps, head shaves, coffee mornings and tombolas.

The appeal has also benefited from legacies and donations of money instead of flowers at times of bereavement and the business community of Bradford has always been keen to help out with raffle prizes, donations and the sponsorship of events such as golf days.

If you would like to add a donation to the appeal complete the form and return it to the T&A or contact Breeda Barry at The Ear Trust on 01274 364853 or 07815 753677 for details of how to support the appeal.

l Along with the Daisy Appeal, the Listening for Life Appeal will benefit from the second annual PEC Valentine's charity ball at the Hilton Hotel, Bradford, on Saturday, February 9, from 7pm.

Tickets are still available for the event, which will feature a champagne reception and food by the team from The Aagrah Restaurant, an auction and a disco.

For details call Barbara Jackson on 07766 442306 or e-mail: barbara.jackson@dsl.pipex.com.