The Dysons have always been firm supporters of the Forever Friends Appeal, donating £500,000 to the Space to Grow campaign in 2010, resulting in the new unit for premature babies being called the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care.
That centre is leading to better outcomes for its very young patients, with 90 per cent of babies recuperating in the new environment going home breastfeeding, compared to 64 per cent in the old building, and babies rested – sleeping on average for 22 per cent longer.
The extended cancer campaign will pay for medical equipment and research facilities, as well as art and pastoral gardens.
Appeal head of fundraising Tim Hobbs said: "Sir James and Lady Deirdre Dyson's donation is providing a massive boost rather than concluding our campaign.
"It is an exciting opportunity to vastly improve cancer care in the region, in the same way that the Dyson Centre for Neonatal Care has already done from premature babies."
The campaign, which was launched last year is the largest fundraising drive mounted by the appeal, and it was expected to take three to four years to raise the £5.5 million needed to go with £15 million provided by the NHS.
However tremendous public support, a £1 million donation from the Medlock Trust, and the Dyson donation has seen the amount reached.
The RUH provides cancer services for half-a-million people, but the buildings which currently house the cancer services date back to 1940 and are in need of updating.
The new centre, which is expected to build on the holistic approach taken with the baby care unit, aims to provide a nurturing and therapeutic environment for people receiving treatment for cancer.
It will be designed using natural light, and will also provide room for relatives and carers to stay overnight, as well as private spaces to sit and be quiet, or to have private conversations, with clinicians or other patients.
To find out more visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co .uk/ruhcancercentre.
