FOR 30 years it has raised millions of pounds funding crucial and innovative medical research that has given hope to thousands of sick people.

Today one of the south's most successful charities, which has helped sufferers fight serious diseases including meningitis and breast cancer, faces a bright future with a new name.

Wessex Medical Research, formerly known as Hope, celebrates its 30th anniversary with a new name in a bid to boost their funding.

In the past trustees have felt that Hope was a rather ambiguous name that left people unaware of the work the charity does.

Now with the launch of the new name and recent changes to national research funding, the charity is aiming to play a much larger role in early funding of medical research across the Wessex region.

The charity seeks to support scientists, doctors and nurses early in their careers at the medical school at the University of Southampton.

Through its Innovation Fund WMR has helped secure medical advances into areas such as breast cancer, Alzheimer's and asthma.