Rock legend raises £53k for cancer unit

A guitar belonging to Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi has raised £53,000 for acancer charity

Iommi donated the item to Birmingham-based Heartlands Hospital Charity when it announced that it was fundraising to create a new state-of-the-art Haematology and Oncology Centre for its cancer patients.

The new centre will include spaces for treatment and appointments, as well as quiet spaces and waiting rooms for patients and their families.

Iommi, himself a cancer survivor, thanked his fans for their support and said: "It'd be nice if other people can donate and support, to give patients the help they need." The guitar will be delivered to its new owner in America.

"In December, we had a guitar raffled for Heartlands Hospital for their Cancer Unit and I'm glad to say it raised £53,000, which is amazing, thanks to you guys," he said.

Charlotte Schofield, Director of Fundraising for Heartlands Hospital Charity, discribed feeling "overwhelmed" by Iommi's support and could "not thank him enough for his generosity and support."

She said the environment has a huge impact on people's mood and that is especially important when feeling ill or vulnerable.

"Thanks to this incredible donation we are well on our way to our fundraising goal of £150,000 and creating a beautiful space for patients to be comfortable while they receive their treatment," she added.

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