The New Year about to begin will no doubt bring with it a whole new batch of worthwhile charity appeals. Yet there are ongoing appeals, too, which should not be forgotten at a time of extra calls on people's generosity.

The Telegraph & Argus Bradford Can...Cancer Appeal has been a beneficiary since September 2001 of the willingness of local people to put their hands in their pockets or to work hard to organise a vast range of fund-raising events.

You have so far come up with a remarkable £850,000. It is a tremendous achievement. Yet it is not an entirely surprising one considering the track record of the Bradford public when it comes to backing a good cause. Time after time you have been asked to support T&A appeals for one cause or another, and time after time you have risen to the challenge.

This appeal has also served the purpose of bringing the Bradford community together at a time when a cohesive force was badly needed. Bradford Can... appeal chairman Linda Pollard says she has found that a real community spirit has come to the surface.

That sense of unity surely can be further strengthened in the final push to help the appeal to reach its £1 million target by February 15. Once that goal is achieved, Cancer Research UK will give another £5 million towards research work and clinical trials in this city into new cancer treatments which have the potential to bring huge benefits to people not only in Bradford and the United Kingdom but all around the world.

That really will be something for all of us to be proud of.