About

The Bath Cancer Unit Appeal was started in 1979 by farmer Chris Norman from Shepton Mallet when he heard that the cancer unit at the RUH would likely be closed down and transferred to Bristol. Several oncologists and Shepton Mallet’s Round Table supported the charity with its plan to  raise funds to purchase a Linear Accelerator, which is the equipment used to provide Radiotherapy. Cancer treatments remained at Bath and it is now one of the four main areas of medical care at RUH.

Following on from the success of the appeal Bath Cancer Unit Support Group was formed in September 1985. Both charities now share the same Trustees.

The RUH provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath and the surrounding towns & villages in North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North & West Wiltshire.

As a result of having no premises or employees and being run by a small group of volunteers who generally fund their own expenses, BCUSG has very low overheads with around 90-95% of funds raised going directly to projects. BCUSG has 14 trustees and around 100 volunteer fundraisers.

Senior health professionals in the Oncology and Radiotherapy Units at the RUH put forward project business cases, approved by the RUH’s senior management, to the trustees of BCUSG for approval and fundraising.

Since being formed in 1985 BCUSG has raised around £5.5 million and successfully completed numerous projects unable to be funded by the NHS, that make a real difference for local cancer patients.

Please note: If you are an individual looking for help, advice or information about living with cancer or cancer treatment please contact Macmillan Cancer Support.