PLEASE do your bit! That is the message from charity officials who have the daunting task of raising £1m to fund a cancer information and support centre in Southampton.

Thousands of pounds are already rolling in for Macmillan Cancer Relief's Appeal for South Hampshire. The Daily Echo-backed appeal aims to raise enough cash to build and equip a state-of-the-art centre, which will improve the lives of hundreds of local people living with cancer.

As well as those living in south Hampshire, the centre, to be built at Southampton General Hospital, will support people living on the Isle of Wight and in the Channel Islands. Facilities will include complementary therapies, support groups, information leaflets, Internet access, Macmillan staff, wigs, headgear and advice about patient grants and state benefits,

All will be provided in a homely, non-clinical environment where patients, relatives and friends can pop in without having to make an appointment.

Appeal manager Connie McConachie said: "Everyone can help to raise money for the centre. Businesses and other organisations could help by taking part in a coffee morning, organising a dress down day, a wear a hat to work day or adopting Macmillan Cancer Relief as their charity of the year.

"Students can help out by taking part in our Big Hush, a sponsored silence, or Macmile, coming up later in the month, where you do anything for a mile and get sponsors for it."

If you love to organise, you could join a committee and help promote events.

"What about joining our Young Professional Friends of Macmillan (under 40-year-olds organising fundraising events for under 40-year-olds) or our Southampton, Winchester or Meon Valley committees?"

Dozens of fundraising events have already taken place across the county. Youngsters at Grove Place School in Nursling raised £3,000 with a sponsored silence, while Southampton mayor Parvin Damani has been busy recruiting patrons for the appeal.

Legal eagles at Southampton solicitors Paris, Smith and Randall have adopted Macmillan Cancer Relief as their charity of the year, while Hampshire firm VT Group Plc made a £10,000 donation to the appeal.

Future fundraising events include Macmillan's Pedal Paddle Pace triathlon in Winchester on June 27, which people can enter alone or as a relay.

Connie also needs to recruit 34 more local people to join her running in the New York Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Relief.

For more information on the appeal and how you can help, call Connie McConachie or Vanessa Eden on 023 8023 6367.