Dyson Cancer Centre 'means absolute world' to £1m fundraiser

Nic Noble (right) took part in a marathon challenge in 2023 which featured on BBC One's 'The One Show' with Angela Rippon

A woman who has raised nearly £1m for a cancer centre says seeing it open "will mean the absolute world".

Nic Noble has spent years fundraising for the new Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath in memory of her sister Vanessa Kyte.

The £50m centre is due open in Spring 2024, a day Ms Noble said she cannot wait for.

It will include oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, as well as a 22-bed inpatient ward.

Ms Noble, from Warminster, said she was proud to honour her sister: "To see the building completed and to actually walk into that building for the first time, knowing that was my promise to her, will mean the absolute world."

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000, Ms Kyte started fundraising for new cancer facilities with her sister Ms Noble, including starting the Walk of Life fundraising challenge in 2006.

Nic Noble promised her sister Vanessa she would continue to fundraise before she died from cancer in 2007

In aid of RUH, the annual Walk of Life event sees hundreds of walkers take on a marathon or a 10 mile walk along the Kennet and Avon canal and will next take place on 11 May.

Before Ms Kyte's death in 2007, Ms Noble promised to continue the fundraising effort, now nearing the total amount of donations to almost £1m.

"The emotions are what got me through it," said Ms Noble.

"I still, when I'm doing these things, (feel) that she's with me. I can still hear her. My strong inspirational sister," she added.

'So proud'

Ms Noble said while her sister will not there to see the centre, which will include oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, as well as a 22-bed inpatient ward and Macmillan wellbeing hub, come to fruition, she knows she would "be so proud".

"They have thought of every aspect and I don't think they have left a stone unturned," she said.

"It's all about your well being when you're going through these journeys, the family encompasses you so that is what this unit is going to help."

The Walk of Life takes place annually and was set up by Nic Noble and her sister Vanessa Kyte in 2006

"Losing Ness, we lost a dear friend before and a very dear friend afterwards.

"All the people and the family and friends of the people that are not with us but with us in our hearts, I know they'll be so proud of the fundraisers that have helped me."

On future fundraising, Ms Noble said she has no plans to stop yet.

"The hospital always needs more equipment. You can fundraise for any ward at the hospital so I'm always going to have something to do with the Walk of Life," she said.