A SURGERY'S fundraising event in aid of the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal had a special touch of poignancy.

Patients and staff came together yesterday in honour of Bilton Medical Centre care assistant Babu Patel, who died from lung cancer in January.

The event, which included a raffle, cake sale and other activities, was the idea of practice manager Noreen Rashid and the third she has organised for the Appeal.

Mr Patel's widow, Bina, was moved to tears when she arrived at the City Road centre to help sell cakes, buns and other items.

"Many people were really emotional," said Mrs Rashid.

"Mr Patel was well-liked within the practice and the community and he is much-missed by all. We were delighted that Mrs Patel was able to share the day with us.

"We thought we should do something in his honour, especially for the Crocus Appeal as he died from cancer."

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Mrs Rashid is hoping to top the £250 raised by the last event at the centre and reported steady sales throughout the day, boosted by donations from local businesses and the GP partnership.

The centrepiece was a colourful cake specially made by Mariya Hussain, whose sister Yasmin Hussain works at the medical centre.

Mr Patel, who was 65, had worked at the centre for more than eight years and other members of his family joined his widow in helping to sell the fundraising items and raffle tickets.

The Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal is an initiative between the University of Bradford, Yorkshire Cancer Research, the Telegraph & Argus and Sovereign Healthcare Charitable Trust.

Davide Calogero, head of development and alumni relations at the University said: “I’m really pleased that staff at the Bilton Medical Centre have chosen to support the appeal again this year.

"It is the continued support from local businesses and the community that take us one step closer in helping us to reach our target of £1m to help our scientists discover new and more advanced treatments for those suffering with cancer."

The aim of the Appeal is to boost development of new cancer medicines by raising £1 million for the University's Institute of Cancer Therapeutics through purchase of a specialist piece of equipment known as a proteomics mass spectrometer.

This state-of-the-art machine allows scientists to understand the role played by certain proteins in the spread of cancerous cells. Better understanding is seen as being key to more targeted treatment.