An appeal to raise £1.1 million to build a new centre to support people suffering from cancer has reached its halfway mark in less than six months.

But fundraisers for the Daisy Appeal are not going to let the grass grow under their feet now that the charity has secured £562,000.

Instead, fundraising co-ordinator Maureen Burns is challenging supporters to help the fund reach £750,000 by the end of the year.

By reaching the three-quarters-of-a-million point the appeal, which is raising money to build a new base for Bradford Cancer Support (BCS), will have secured enough money to buy the new site and draw up costings for the build.

BCS has already outgrown two previous headquarters, first in the city centre, and for the last 11 years at Bradford Royal Infirmary in Duckworth Lane.

The new site is nearby in Smith Lane and includes a row of cottages known as The Old Farm.

The Daisy Appeal needs to secure enough cash to build a larger modern building called the Barn.

Mrs Burns said the £750,000 mark needed to be secured before further steps could take place.

She was thrilled that supporters had been so successful in securing so much money already.

"We have got a really active group of patrons, most of them are local people. The really positive thing is this is how far we have got, but we need help to get us to the next step," she said.

Fashion shows, balls and sponsored stop-smoking efforts had all added to the existing total.

And alongside individual efforts in raising cash for the cause, Mrs Burns said Bradford businesses and businesspeople had also put their weight behind the appeal.

Tomorrow many of the Daisy Appeal supporters, patrons and BCS staff will come together to say goodbye to Sandra Hunton, who has been director of BCS for 16 years.

The open house event will not only provide people with the chance to thank Sandra for her efforts, but will also provide information about the Daisy Appeal and its progress.

"Service users and supporters who want to come along to say goodbye will be very welcome," said Mrs Burns.

The event will take place at the Daisy Bank site from 3pm to 7pm. Sandra will officially retire on Sunday.

e-mail: rebecca.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk