BURY Cancer Support Centre has thanked people for their “fantastic support” as it continues its fightback after being destroyed by flood water on New Year’s Eve.

Thousands of pounds worth of damage to equipment and a collapsed ceiling meant that the centre was placed out of bounds and unable to operate.

A major fundraising plan aimed at raising £25,000 was developed to help pay for the rebuilding costs, with refurbishments still only in the early planning stages.

The centre say that they have been overwhelmed by the support since the disaster, with £16,000 now raised and other fundraisers coming up in the near future.

Dennis Taylor, trustee at the centre, said: “We are making some progress and the disaster fund is moving along quite smoothly with the last count at the £16,000 mark.

“That gets us to some redevelopment but we still need people to continue to show their support for us wherever possible.”

Carpet tiles and felt manufacturer Milliken made a sizeable donation of £3438 after choosing the Centre as their designated charity. Cormar Carpets, based in Greenmount, also contributed around £3000 to the fund.

Siblings Harrison, aged 13, Layla, aged 11 and Oliver Humby, aged eight, have been regular fundraisers for the centre since their grandfather died of cancer in 2014.

From selling loomband bracelets at his funeral, raising £250, they have continued donating money regularly and raised £300 from a tuck shop they run.

Harrison said: "We raise money for Bury Cancer Support Centre to help people. It makes us happy to know the money can help other people. We hope that others will raise money too.”

The Midland Hotel, Manchester, where the centre has held several fund raisers is having a raffle a prize of two tickets for Take That in concert on May 20 with a pre-concert dinner and overnight stay. Raffle tickets are £5 from www.goldengiving.com/raffle/midland-hotel-bcsc-flood-appeal.

Bury Golf Club is holding a golf day on June 9, For more information visit the Bury Cancer Support Centre Facebook page.

To donate to the fund, visit the flood appeal page at Golden Giving www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/bcsc-floodappeal.