MUSICIANS are set to raise money for a cancer charity which supporters hope will soon be ‘one of the major players’.

The Radcliffe Orchestra Concert will be held next Saturday to raise money for Urological Cancer Research and Education, Ucare, based at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington.

Ucare was founded in 2007 by doctors, nurses and patients to support cancer research, education and the development of new treatments.

Since then the charity has gone from strength to strength and has provided £152,000 in grants for pioneering research into kidney, bladder and prostate cancer.

The money has also allowed the charity to provide patient support projects, including a website for younger cancer sufferers to talk about their experiences in confidence.

The charity has nine trustees, one paid member of staff responsible for administration, and volunteers.

A full-time research scientist, a specialist research nurse and hi-tech equipment are also at the charity’s disposal.

Val Berry, Ucare development officer, said: “We are glad to have the support of the Radcliffe Orchestra Concert, and we hope to raise more than £1,000.

“We rely very heavily on our supporters, who do things like hold tea parties and sponsored climbs, and many people take part in the Blenheim and London Triathlons in aid of Ucare.

“We have also gained the support of the organisers of The Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall in London to hold a fundraising evening at the event in December which will be a great boost.

“But it’s also about raising the profile of the charity too.”

Kidney cancer campaigner and Ucare volunteer Clive Stone, from Freeland, near Witney, said he was looking forward to the concert.

He added: “I have every confidence that Ucare will one day be one of the major players in cancer research and educational support for patients.

“I’m very proud to be associated with Ucare as a volunteer fundraiser.”

The Radcliffe Orchestra Concert, with pianist Jamie Thompson and conducted by Gary Howarth, will be at Tingewick Hall at the John Radcliffe Hospital, on Saturday, November 7, from 7.45pm. Tickets cost £8, including refreshments, and are available from the Cairns Library at the hospital and on the door.