A SMALL group has raised £11,000 for specialist cancer detecting equipment which will be used to help hundreds of people for years to come.

The Oxford Laryngectomy Club provides support for people before, during and after nasal, throat and oesophageal cancer surgery.

The group, which has 25 members, hosted dinners and organised parties, raffles and car boot sales to raise the cash to buy two ear, nose and throat work stations.

The instruments will be used by consultants to diagnose nasal, throat and oesophageal cancers.

Last week the group presented the equipment to the Oxford head and neck department, which is relocating to the Churchill Hospital.

A counselling room was named after the group’s founder Ken Whiley, 88, a former squadron leader in the RAF, from Cholsey.

Laryngectomy is surgery to remove the larynx (voice box) to treat throat cancer.

Judy Skyrme, 70, from Hanover Gardens, Bicester, has been a club member since her late husband Roy was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1993, aged 52.

She said: “When he was diagnosed we thought he would never speak again.

“Ken came to see us at our home and it made such a difference.

“He was extending the hand of friendship and taking away some of the fear. And that is what the group continues to do to this day.”

Graham Cox, a consultant head and neck surgeon, said: “This is the second busiest head and neck unit in the country and we are very proud of the high success rate we achieve in Oxford.

“We really do appreciate the efforts the club have gone to to raise this fantastic sum of money, which will make such a difference here.”

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