A FUNDRAISING campaign to help with the furnishing of Albury-Wodonga's regional cancer centre has secured nearly $500,000.
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The hefty sum has been generated from large and small donors contributing to the Albury Wodonga Regional Cancer Centre Trust Fund which was launched in March last year.
The fund's fundraising, marketing and events manager Jane Evans said an overall target of $2 million was expected to be achieved by the end of next year.
"We're on track, we're about a quarter of the way there,” Mrs Evans said.
"We've got about $480,000 in the bank."
Four major donors, builder and facilities manager the Joss Group, transporter Border Express, meat producer Rivalea and the Commercial Club, have signed on as Shine supporters.
That means they will contribute $15,000 or more annually for three years.
"We want the centre to shine, the businesses to shine so they stand out from their competitors because they've given that commitment to support the community,” Mrs Evans said.
On the same theme, the trust is staging Sunshine Week from February 21 to 28.
"It's encouraging all businesses and schools to have a morning tea, to get out in the sunshine and raise some money for the local cancer centre,” Mrs Evans said.
"We'll have a dedicated website to make it easy to donate and I'm hoping that will be a signature fundraiser."
The cancer centre is due to open early next year, a milestone which Mrs Evans will help fundraising.
“It will be something tangible that people can come through and they can see where their money is going,” she said.
"It's going on life-saving equipment and we'll be able to do cancer trials here in Albury-Wodonga and it will go to fitting out a children's area and staff development."
The Rotary Clubs of Wodonga West, Belvoir Central and Wodonga have contributed $1350 to the Borella Road centre from a multicultural night in May.
Rotary Foundation International director Robert Voss and Wodonga West club membership chairman Clive Faul said it was the second year the occasion had been held with different causes chosen for contributions.
"There is no doubt it will get bigger and better,” Mr Faul said.
The other $1350 raised in May funded shelter boxes to help those in disaster areas.
