A CHEQUE for £14,700 was handed over last week for the Bumble bus mobile cancer care unit following a Minehead concert and other fundraising events.

The cheque was given to Claire Cosgrove of Hope for Tomorrow, the charity which operates Bumble, at a presentation behind Minehead Community Hospital.

That’s where the unit parks up, bringing chemotherapy and other vital cancer services closer to patients’ homes in West Somerset.

The funds were raised by a double concert by the Bumble Band and several organisations at Minehead’s Regal Theatre, as well as other efforts from busking to coffee mornings.

“It was a very happy event with terrific community spirit,” said Bev Trimmings, clarinet and saxophone teacher, who formed the Bumble Band to raise money for the mobile unit after her mother was helped by it.

The band, which now has 55 members playing a range of orchestral and concert band instruments, was joined for the event by dance school LA Academy, performance company Fusion Young Performers, Bumble Ballroom Dancers, Foxes Academy members and Dunster First School Choir.

“It was really special, a mix of jazz, classical and show pieces, with everyone waving flags with a Bumble design to the music Pomp and Circumstance at the end,” said Bev.

Before the concerts, visitors to a special coffee morning at the venue were entertained by guitar and drums duo Pete Mountstephen and Andrew Pearce, and money had also been raised previously by other, smaller events.

It is the third year the Bumble Band has raised funds for the unit, bringing the total so far to around £35,000 and beating the previous high of £8,168 two years ago.

Bumble has been bringing cancer care closer to patients’ homes around the county for over ten years, saving them thousands of miles of travel and having to endure long journeys when they feel ill, and easing pressure on local NHS oncology a departments.

For further information visit the Hope for Tomorrow website.