AN Okehampton woman who lost her husband to a brain tumour last year is backing a campaign to secure state-of-the-art equipment for the South West designed to help save hundreds of lives.

The Cavitron Fund is hoping to raise around half a million pounds to supply stereotactic radiosurgery technology for consultant neurosurgeons at Derriford Hospital.

Derriford already has one of the best equipped neurosurgeries in the world, but this newest piece of equipment would be the only one of its kind anywhere in the country.

Edna Hicks of Okehampton is supporting the campaign in the Okehampton area with a meeting being held next week, when people can find out all about the vital medical equipment the charity provides.

Edna became involved after her husband Rex died last August, after he had contracted the most aggressive form of brain tumour.

Edna said thanks to the existing Cavitron technology, Rex had been able to come home the day after his operation at Derriford and extend the time with his family.

'Everyone was wonderful at Derriford, and because of this machine Rex was able to come home, and still have a good quality of life for ten months. In those ten months we were able to do all the things we wanted to do,' she said.

Edna said her husband and family were even able to go away on holiday before he died.

The charity has got off to a flying start in Okehampton, having already sold £400 worth of raffle tickets.

Edna said she had received a good response so far from people she had spoken to.

'Everyone I have talked to has said they want to help,' she said.

Edna said she had become involved in raising the profile of the charity because she wanted more people to benefit from the latest technology, as her husband had.

'Rex was a remarkable man. It is because of him we are doing this,' she said.

The charity is holding an information evening in Okehampton on Thursday, April 29 at the Ockment Centre at 7pm.

The Cavitron Fund's founder and chief executive, Michael Turner, will talk about the charity's work and answer questions afterwards.

The stereotactic radiosurgery technology will help to cure patients of cancer, brain and spinal tumours, Parkinson's, epilepsy and strokes, and can be used on tumours located deep in the brain, which were previously inoperable.

Michael said: 'The technology allows treatment to be carried out on an outpatient basis, the doctors won't even have to use the knife.'

The technology works by delivering precision-shaped beams to the centre of the tumour, while minimizing the amount of energy to surrounding normal brain tissue.

Michael said the new equipment would allow surgeons to tackle tumours of the brain and spinal cord with such accuracy and speed that the unit would be able to treat 100 more patients each year.

The neurosurgery unit at Derriford serves the whole of Devon and Cornwall with a number of patients from the West Devon area and Michael said he was pleased to have the opportunity to let people in the area know more about the charity's work.

Michael revealed exclusively to the Times the new unit would be called STARS (StereoTactic RadioSurgery) and he was hoping enough money would be raised to get the equipment installed this summer.

The machine will cost more than £850,000, with fundraising already at about the half-way stage.

Michael said the technology was remarkably exact.

'One of the present bone cutters is so precise it is said, it can cut through the shell of an egg without touching the membrane inside.'

'It is so high-tech, it really is something from another planet. There is nowhere else in our league when it comes to neuro surgery,' he added.

Michael said when the Cavitron Fund was first established 21 years ago, Plymouth had the least well equipped neurosurgery department in Britain, but it was now at the forefront of neurosurgery in this country and beyond.

Michael said the charity did not just raise funds to supply high-tech equipment, it also helped conduct pioneering research into conditions like Parkinson's Disease and epilepsy.

He said the unit's surgeons do not do private work and only deal with NHS patients.

If you would like to find out more about the Cavitron Fund's work or have ideas to help the appeal come along to the meeting or please contact Edna Hicks on 01837 55915 or Michael Turner on 01752 670288.