Appeal launched for Birmingham children's cancer unit

Birmingham Children's Hospital has launched a £4m appeal to transform its cancer unit.

They say it is their biggest to date and the money will be used to expand the chemotherapy and outpatient unit at the centre which is now 30 years old.

Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Jody Craddock helped launch the appeal earlier.

His two-year-old son Toby is currently undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital for leukaemia.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Craddock's wife Shelley said: "The hospital has been there for us throughout."

The appeal is being launched to help fund better communal areas for the 3,000 children and their families who are treated at the unit each year.

Chief executive Sarah-Jane Marsh said: "Our young patients with cancer are some of the sickest children and young people in the region.

"Some stay with us for up to a year, and many more visit the hospital regularly throughout their childhood, so it's really important that we provide them with the best experience possible."