CHIPPING Sodbury Rotary Club is holding a charity auction in aid of Southmead Hospital's £2 million prostate cancer appeal.

Six months ago several members of the club the club raised three and a half thousand pounds towards the appeal by abseiling over 100 feet down the side of Southmead Hospital’s Brunel Building.

Now the Rotarians are looking to the community of Chipping Sodbury to join them at the auction and help add to that total with profits raised at the event.

“We’re supporting this particular appeal for a number of reasons,” said club President John Berridge.

“Men tend not to discuss their health, but it is vitally important to get the message across that, in the UK, over 130 men are diagnosed with this cancer every day. Prostate cancer it is the most common malignancy diagnosed in men.

“Additionally, for those who receive the diagnosis, Southmead Hospital is at the forefront of prostate cancer care in the UK and has saved thousands of lives using state of the art robotic surgery equipment.

"That equipment now needs replacing, hence this appeal.”

The Grand Charity Auction is set to take place at Chipping Sodbury Town Hall on Friday, May 4.

The evening will include a sausage and mash supper.

Tickets, at £12.50, can be purchased at Country Property in Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury.

“We have some stunning items, many donated by local companies and suppliers,” said organiser Stuart Hobday.

“We have vouchers for wine tasting, golf, use of a spa, luxury meals, a brewery tour and balloon rides as well as family tickets to a number of locations.

"There are also more unusual lots, such as a tour of Rolls Royce with lunch, a flying lesson, use of a farmhouse in France and a print donated by cartoonist Gerald Scarfe.

"Heading the list at the moment are a day out for four on a motorboat based in Poole Harbour and, for one lucky bidder, a Morgan sports car to use for a whole weekend.

“Many household names, including Robert De Niro, Ian McKellan, Frank Zappa and, more recently, former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbill have all been diagnosed with this particular cancer,” said Rotarian John Berridge.

“Most of us have a friend or relative with the diagnosis.

"It’s important that we help the surgeons at Southmead to continue to save lives – and this is one way in which everyone can help.”