Macclesfield News - written by local people

Key 103 presenters Mike Toolan and Chelsea Norris present the cheque to support coordinator Lorraine Case

The Teenage Cancer Trust Unit at The Christie today received a donation of almost £55,000 to fund the creation of a music therapy suite for young people suffering from cancer.

A cheque for £54,511 was presented by Key 103 breakfast hosts, Mike Toolan and Chelsea Norris to the charity, which helps young people fight cancer.

The money was raised by Key 103’s Cash for Kids Week and relied on generous donations from people across Greater Manchester and an on air auction of ‘money can’t buy’ prizes.

Work on the music room will start in the New Year and hopes to be completed in Spring 2009.

Teenage Cancer Trust support coordinator, Lorraine Case, said: “We are all so grateful for this generous donation, it will change the lives of many of our teenage patients, they will be able to relax and interact which makes all of the difference during treatment.”

Music therapy can be used as part of cancer treatment to help to distract patients during treatment and encourage them to focus on other things. Music therapy also promotes social interaction and cooperation during their treatment.

Key 103 doubled their target of £25k and had an end total of over £50k.

The Key 103 on air charity auction ‘money can’t buy experiences’ included a place for a child to lead the team out at Man United and at Man City, a part in a TV commercial, and a special ‘at home’ dinner party for eight catered for by the Hilton Manchester’s executive head chef.