A million thanks to all the T&A readers who have helped the Bradford Millennium Scanner Appeal reach its magic target.

The fantastic effort by people across the district means the £1million Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine - the most hi-tech in Europe - will scan its first patients at Bradford Royal Infirmary in May, taking healthcare into the 21st century.

T&A readers have won the highest praise for their amazing efforts to raise the cash for the scanner and its life-saving technology in just 18 months.

Linda Pollard, chairman of Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "It has been an absolutely fabulous effort by the people of Bradford and the district and we would like to thank them from the bottom of our hearts.

"The MRI scanner will undoubtedly save lives and for many other patients will speed up treatment and prevent them having to undergo investigative operations or travel outside the district for a scan."

More than 2,500 patients will use the hi-tech scanner each year which will detect a range of conditions including cancerous tumours, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, disease of the blood vessels, heart problems and joint and bone conditions.

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke said: "This really is a fantastic achievement by T&A readers. It's the perfect way to launch Bradford's drive into the new millennium, showing just what local people can do when they set their minds to it."

Bradford South MP Gerry Sutcliffe saluted the efforts of people across Bradford: "The T&A and its readers deserve tremendous credit for backing the appeal, which has captured so much enthusiasm. It shows that when people pull together anything can be done."

Gerry McGowan, chairman of Bradford-based health organisation Sovereign Health Care which gave more than £250,000 to the appeal, said: "When the Trust launched the MRI scanner appeal we immediately saw the tremendous benefits that this miraculous technology would bring to local people."

Head of radiology at the hospital, Dr Roger Lowe, said: "This is the realisation of a four-year dream. It's very exciting and we are all delighted that thanks to the superb efforts of all involved we have been able to go ahead so quickly."

Your crazy, fabulous cash-raising stunts

T&A Opinion

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