Bingo players in Kidlington have raised £1,000 for the new Oxford Cancer Centre, at the Churchill Hospital.

Kidlington Charity Bingo Club, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, donated the money after hearing about an appeal to raise £2m to help fit out the £109m centre.

And families are bing invited to join in a fundraising walk in Oxford later this year to do their bit for the appeal.

Bingo club treasurer Barbara Hutt, 77, from Crown Road, said: "We decided if we could do something it would be nice, because most people know someone who has had cancer or have had cancer themselves.

"A lot of friends of mine have had cancer and my mother and aunts and uncles died of cancer. It's something that touches everybody's lives."

Ann Bowler, from Kennington, whose husband Colin died of cancer in 2003, after battling the disease for 23 years, is a member of the committee spearheading the campaign to raise £2m.

The money will buy hi-tech equipment to allow surgeons to perform more keyhole surgery, pay for landscaping of the garden terraces and furnish day rooms. More than £1m has been collected so far.

Mrs Bowler said: "The bingo club has helped vastly improve the lives of patients who are going to be treated at the cancer centre - I'm very, very grateful.

"It's essential patients have somewhere to go to get away from the trauma of the ward and for some privacy. Such spaces can help to lift spirits and rally energy even for very ill patients, which can be critical to recovery."

Meanwhile, walkers are being urged to take part in an event at Oxford's University Parks to help the appeal.

On Sunday, October 26, the clocks go back at the end of British Summer Time and people have been urged to use the extra hour to take part in the walk.

Graham Brogden, the hospital's head of community fundraising, said: "People wanted an event for all the family to take part in and came up with It's Not Just A Walk In The Park.

"It's for all ages and abilities, giving everyone the chance to support a cause that affects so many of us."

Entry is £7.50 in advance and walkers are asked to try to raise at least £50 in sponsorship.