MUSIC speakers, special gowns, mobilisation aids and observation monitors are just some of the purchases improving the care of cancer patients at Poole Hospital thanks to the Poole Festival of Running.

Now just weeks away the event is set to raise thousands more – and people are being urged to sign up for the 5k Run for Cancer, once again supporting the the Dorset Cancer Centre, the major specialist cancer treatment centre for adults in the county.

Over the past two years the Poole Festival of Running has raised some £23,000 for the centre, which serves a local population of 750,000 and costs almost £19m to run each year.

The money has gone a long way to help patients feel more comfortable said Karen Bew, operational manager for radiotherapy, who is taking part in this year’s race.

She added: “We are a very busy department but the patient experience is always at the forefront of our minds so funding from the PFOR really goes far in supporting us in all aspects of the service. One of our aims for the future is to renovate a small garden area for patients to be able to sit quietly and a special chair for preparation prior to CT scanning”

Purchases so far have included iPods and speakers to provide music in the treatment rooms to help reduce anxiety, gowns for patients to wear during treatment so they are covered as much as possible, a mobilisation rope ladder to help patients get up from treatment couches, an observation monitor for rapid monitoring of patients who are unwell or in distress, and TVs –one for the waiting area, and one for training staff.

Organised by Borough of Poole and Poole Runners, the Poole Festival of Running takes place on Sunday 7 June and welcomes everyone, from first time runners and children to elite athletes.

Races include a 5km and 10km for adults and over 15s, a series of races for 8-14s, and an under 8s fun run, as well as entertainment. There are medals, prizes and trophies to be won, with all races time chipped. Places are filling up fast and entry is limited. To enter online and for more information go to: www.poolerunners.com . Visit facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Poole-Festival-of-Running/296500140462202?fref=ts