Bradford University students lent their hands to the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Appeal by helping shoppers pack their bags in Morrisons today.

About 70 volunteers were on the checkouts from 10am to 7pm in three stores across the city – Westgate, Mayo Avenue and Thornbury.

Shoppers gave generously to collection buckets to reward the students for their efforts, with all donations boosting the appeal towards the £1 million target.

Despite Friday lunchtime shopping proving to be hectic at the Westgate store, 19 year-old volunteer Sadie Godwin, a PE Studies student said: “People have been so friendly, and everyone is really engaging with the Crocus Appeal.

“I didn’t know of the work being done until I joined the university, but locals are very aware of what is going on, which is great.

“It’s a nice feeling to be able to get involved, and it’s really made me feel part of the Bradford community.”

Store manager Mick Preston said: “It’s great to help this project and the community in any way we can.

“The students have been well-received and hopefully a lot of money has been raised for such a good cause.”

Carmel Green is the community champion at Morrisons’ Mayo Avenue branch, and she took time out to encourage the students, who were all decked out in purple Crocus Appeal T-shirts, with their task.

“It feels like all the partners are truly working together on this project and the cause really brings people together,” she said “Supporting Bradford charities and giving something back is really important for us as a local store.”

Polly Murch, a 20 year-old optometry student, said: “The university asked all the sports teams to get involved in the Crocus Appeal, and as a member of the rowing team I was happy to help out.

“People have been very generous and have been asking us lots of questions, which is great, as it is such a worthy cause.”

Paul Richardson, Thornbury store manager, said the appeal was very personal to him as he had twice suffered from cancer as a child.

He said: “I think it’s a very poignant appeal, as everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer in some way. We’re very proud to be involved, and to be able to help raise awareness and get people talking about the project.”

The T&A Bradford Crocus Appeal, being run in conjunction with the university, Yorkshire Cancer Research and the principal supporter, the Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust, aims to buy a new mass spectrometer for the University of Bradford’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics.

The machine will allow scientists to study the role of proteins in cancer ten times faster than ever before, and could hold the key to a major breakthrough in developing less toxic cancer treatments.

To support the appeal, e-mail crocus@brad.ac.uk or call (01274) 233166.