A TEAM of bikers have raised £700 for a campaign to raise cash for a state-of-the-art machine treating people with prostate cancer.

The RMT Riders Club raised the cash for the Rory the Robot appeal with their annual charity motorcycle ride from Redditch to the Cotswolds.

The campaign is run by Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust – the organisation running Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital, Worcestershire Royal Hospital and Kidderminster Hospital – and is aiming to raise £1.6 million to buy a special machine which will be able to treat patients with less pain, minimal complications and reduced blood loss.

Consultant breast surgeon at the Alex Nick Purser was one of the 70 bikers who took part in the event in September organised by the Redditch-based club, and said: “It’s wonderful to see so many people working together to raise funds for prostate cancer.

“Together we can continue the push towards beating cancer.”

Motorcycle instructor Simon Hayes has organised charity rides for the past six years following a close experience with prostate cancer and said he wanted to raise money for the appeal after a close friend died of prostate cancer.

“We’ve done a charity ride for various charities every year since in his memory,” he said.

“He was a keen motorcyclist.

“When I heard of this great cause I thought it was the perfect place to donate funds from this year’s ride.

“I’m planning to support this appeal throughout, and will continue to contribute until enough money has been raised to purchase the machine.”

In Worcestershire there are 2,500 men living with prostate cancer at any one time, with about 450 to 550 new cases diagnosed every year.

For more information on the campaign call 01905 760 551 or visit worcsacute.nhs.uk/rorytherobot.