The Bath Cancer Unit Support Group (BCUSG) is calling on local families to take part in its fun #BCUSG3000Challenge and help raise money for essential medical equipment.

The cancer unit at Bath's Royal United Hospital (RUH) treats about 3,000 new patients a year on average and they include people from across the Bath area and North East Somerset.

The BCUSG charity is asking people of all ages to dream up their own challenge based around the number 3,000 and raise funds for state-of-the-art medical equipment not provided by the NHS.

Whether it's skipping or hopping 3,000 times or completing a distance of 3,000 metres (3k) in your garden, on roller skates or in fancy dress, anything goes. The more imaginative the fundraising ideas, the better.

People can share their fundraising photos and videos on social media using the hashtag #BCUSG3000Challenge and encourage others to get involved.

The charity recently contributed £340,000 towards the cost an advanced gamma camera to speed up cancer diagnosis and has allocated money for a quiet room at the RUH for patients receiving palliative care and portable ultrasound scanners for breast cancer patients.

The BCUSG has also agreed to fund additional equipment needed for the new cancer centre at the RUH.

BCUSG chairman Mike Taylor said: "The Bath Cancer Unit treats around 3,000 new patients every year and demand for its services has increased as we come out of lockdown.

"Doctors at the RUH also recently treated their 3,000th patient using a £1.2m scanner which was paid for by our charity - but more needs to be done.

"We are calling on parents, children, grandparents and individuals to complete their own fundraising activities around the number 3,000 and help us pay for new equipment to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients locally.

"Anyone can take part, whatever your age or ability, as long as you follow official advice on social distancing and choose a challenge that's appropriate for you and your abilities."

For more information and guidance on how to take part in the Bath Cancer Unit #BCUSG3000Challenge go to https://www.bcusg.org

To create your own fundraising page or to make a donation using Virgin Money Giving go here: the donation site

Alternatively, to donate to the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group, or to discuss becoming a corporate partner, please email Alan Webb at [email protected] or phone 07896 741233.