A MILESTONE achievement has been reached in an ongoing appeal to buy a state-of-the-art machine to treat prostate cancer.

The Rory the Robot Campaign set out nearly two years ago to raise enough money for the machine, which will allow surgeons to perform minimally invasive surgery, removing the prostate gland.

Campaigners have now raised enough cash to procure the machine, meaning it can be installed at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch this summer.

Chair of the Rory the Robot appeal Ian Jukes said: "The appeal has reached an important milestone in the ongoing fight against prostate cancer here in Worcestershire with better outcome for patients and their families."

But the campaign does not stop here, as more money needs to be raised to maintain the running of the £1.9 million robot.

Over the course of the campaign, a number of bag packing events were held at various Morrisons stores around Worcestershire, while the supermarket giant donated £25,000.

"Fundraising will remain crucial as the appeal has a target of raising a further £700,000 over the next five years or sooner to help fund the robot, but the decision made to get the procurement process underway is fantastic news," said Mr Jukes.

"We look forward very much to early summer when Rory the Robot can be used to help patients in Worcestershire."

Currently, there are 2,500 men at any one time receiving treatment and living with prostate cancer in Worcestershire.

There are roughly 150 men in the county that undergo surgery for prostate cancer every year with about 500 new cases being diagnosed in Worcestershire each year.

To make a donation to the Rory the Robot appeal, visit justgiving.com/rorytherobot or text RORY97 plus £amount to 70070.

For more information about the appeal visit worcestershire.nhs.uk/rorytherobot

You can also tweet @RorytheRobot