Fundraiser hits £1m for new Bath Dyson Cancer Centre

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

A woman has raised £1m to help fund a new cancer centre in memory of her "inspirational" sister.

Nicola Noble fundraised for the new Dyson Cancer Centre at the Royal United Hospital (RUH) in Bath in memory of her sister Vanessa Kyte who died in 2017.

The feat marks the end of a 20-year fundraising journey.

Ms Noble, of Warminster, Wiltshire, said she never though she would ever hit the target and had mixed emotions about the "incredible news".

"Ness has been inspirational all the way through it, she was right from the start," she said.

"Every single one of those pounds donated or fundraised has got a story and I have met the most incredible people with Ness and without her."

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

After being 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.

'Celebrate my sister'

"She was kind and thoughtful and driven," Ms Noble said.

"She had this goal first of all to fundraise for equipment at the RUH. Then we had this vision for a walk around the catchment area.

"On her walk she met me at the top of Milsom street in a wheelchair when she was really poorly.

"She was very driven and strong and it was never about her, it was always about her family and her friends and raising money for the new cancer centre."

The £50m centre will include oncology, chemotherapy and radiotherapy services, as well as a 22-bed inpatient ward.

It is due open in Spring 2024.

The £50m centre received more than £40m of government funding, and other donations include £4m from The James Dyson Foundation.

"It is going to be a whizzbang place, it's going to help the patient and the family. Every single one of those pounds is going towards something incredible," Ms Noble added.

"I'd love people to join me in the last 10 miles on the Walk Of Life on the 11 May and celebrate my incredible inspirational sister."