Student fundraisers backing the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal told comedian Russell Brand all about our £1million campaign during a visit to Bradford.

Sam Butterworth, sports and societies officer at Bradford University Students’ Union, met the actor backstage after his Messiah Complex show at St George’s Hall and posed for a picture with him in his Crocus Appeal T-shirt.

Students at the university have been supporting the campaign by taking part in a series of events including a telethon, gathering pledges and donations from former graduates, which raised £110,000.

Sam said: “It was great to meet Russell and tell him about the appeal. He saw our T-shirts, asked what the appeal was all about and seemed really interested in it.

“We really appreciate that he took the time to meet and speak to us.

“The Students’ Union has been working closely with the university and the Crocus Appeal is one of two charities we are supporting this year, along with Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure.

“It’s great that so many students and staff are getting involved by giving something back to the community. It’s really heartwarming.”

The T&A Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal is being run with the university, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust to fight cancer here in the city.

We want to raise £1 million to buy the university’s world-class Institute of Cancer Therapeutics a new mass spectrometer, which will allow scientists to study the role of protein in cancer 10 times faster than before.

This could hold the key to less toxic treatment, which could transform the lives of cancer sufferers.

Sam is now planning to take part in a skydive for the appeal.

e-mail: hannah.postles@telegraphandargus.co.uk