A BIG-HEARTED Bournemouth businessman has donated more than £1,000 worth of office furniture to the Daily Echo backed appeal to set up Dorset's first cancer care centre.

Last month The Wessex Cancer Care Trust appealed to Echo readers to help equip a new cancer care centre at Fairview House in Hinton Road, Bournemouth.

The new cancer care centre will provide holistic care for anyone going through or recovering from any type of cancer including their family and friends.

Dan Weldon, managing director of Astute Money Management said: "It was perfect timing as we were planning to relocate to another office which is already furnished and I didn't want our office furniture to go to waste, so it has worked out well for all concerned."

The charity's chief executive Cait Allen said: "By coincidence, the company was based in the same building as our new centre which makes it nice and easy for everyone. This will save us hundreds of pounds as we hope there will be enough to use in two other new centres too."

Elliot Donnelly, distribution manager for WCT, collected the furniture which included desks, chairs and filing cabinets.

He said: "The charity is embarking on a period of real growth and it is donations like this that are our lifeblood."

The Bournemouth centre will be the flagship centre for Dorset, and will be the first of three offering child focused services.

According to the charity, around £10,000 is needed to equip the centre and a further £60,000 to help cover the annual running costs.

In addition to financial donations, the charity is also appealing for a local builder who would put up a couple of stud walls ideally at cost/free of charge.

For more information, or details on how you can support the project, please email clare.lay@wessexcancer.org.uk or call 023 8067 2200.