MEMBERS of a South East Cornwall bowling club have donated £1,000 to the Chestnut Appeal, which was set up with the aim of making a real difference to the lives of men with prostate cancer and their families.

Torpoint Bowling Club members Bill Hoskin and Graham Rice, along with their partners Kate Johnson and Diane Rice, decided to raise money for the charity after both men underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.

Graham was diagnosed in 2011 and, after careful monitoring, it was decided earlier this year that he should undergo radiotherapy to treat his cancer.

After six months of treatment and then a few months of blood tests he was finally given the 'all clear' in

August.

Meanwhile, Bill had also been diagnosed with prostate cancer, though his more aggressive form of the disease meant he had to undergo a radical prostatectomy before he, too, could be given the 'all clear' by doctors.

Both men wanted to 'give something back' after their successful treatment, so Graham and Bill, helped by Diane and Kate, organised a prize draw night with a game of bingo and quiz at Torpoint Bowling Club,

They received great support from local people and businesses who helped them raise their £1,000 total for the Chestnut Appeal.

Graham said: 'We were delighted that so many people donated to our prize draw and we can't thank them enough for their generosity.'

The Chestnut Appeal is now hoping to introduce a new piece of medical equipment to the area: an ultrasound-MRI fusion for targeted diagnosis of prostate cancer.

If the charity is successful in this aim it will be the first of its kind in the whole

region.