FUNDRAISERS for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) are being invited to attend a special opening of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital's New Haematology Unit this weekend.

Although the ELF still needs to raise more than £50,000 to complete the unit, it is taking this opportunity to show everyone who has supported the cause what has been achieved through their generosity and hard work.

ELF administrator Malcolm Roker said he would be delighted to see the people involved with the Neal Cousins Memorial Day in Okehampton who had raised a 'fantastic' £23,000 for the fund over four years.

'This fundraising day really is a brilliant piece of work and has made a substantial contribution to the new unit,' he said. 'I hope it continues for many years to come.

'We are very grateful to the builders and the NHS Trust for the chance to invite fundraisers in this weekend because their efforts have so far helped us raise £1.5 million.'

Supporters will be able to see the vibrant colours, the curves and the glass restroom all designed by Architects Lacey, Hickie and Caley to make the unit as far away from the traditional hospital as possible. They will also see a fully furnished and equipped isolation room (one of ten), one of the two, three-bed wards and a consulting room.

Building commenced in November 2000 on the state-of-the-art complex which is more than double the size of the existing facilities on Yarty Ward. It will go some way to meeting the increasing demand caused by the soaring incidence of leukaemia and related blood diseases in the South West.

The new unit is to be called the Haematology Centre with the in-patient wards retaining the Yarty name.

'This new centre will provide the best possible treatment in an appropriate environment for the foreseeable future,' said Dr Miles Joiner, consultant haematologist at the RD&E. 'Exeter will be the proud possessor of one of the best, if not the best, units in the country for the treatment of leukaemia and I imagine, one of the most innovative and modern in Europe.'

The unit will be open between 10am and 4pm on February 2 and 3 and visitors are being asked to park in Car Park C.

l Pictured above: Exeter Leukaemia Fund administrator Malcolm Roker receives the giant £7,500 cheque from Trevor Cousins and the Neal Cousins Memorial Match. The cheque was presented at the Pretoria Volts on Sunday following the match last August Bank Holiday between the football club and rugby club.