A BLACK Country charity has joined forces with Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital in a bid to improve breast cancer services.

Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer (LFBC) has jointly-funded a mobile mammogram unit as part of their £1 million appeal carried out alongside the hospital's charity.

The new screening facility, which cost £250,000, boasts leading x-ray facilities that will be used by up to 62 women a day – helping to not only detect breast cancer earlier but also promote self-examination in the local community.

Stourbridge fundraiser Veronica Kumeta, who is the co-founder of LFBC, said: "This new mobile mammogram trailer enables the QE Hospital to take their screening out into local areas and ensure that women are attending their appointments.

"There are so many reasons that people might not attend, from geography and time restraints through to just plain old fear, but research shows just how important it is to get checked and find these things as early as possible.

"This screening unit helps make it as convenient as possible for people but also remove some of that fear."

Since Veronica formed the charity with her friend more than 13 years ago, they have funded more than £1 million worth of equipment that the NHS could not afford.

The charity has now created a 'centre of excellence' and has also been working with Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) Charity on 'soft services'.

Mike Hammond, chief executive of QEHB Charity, said: "Attending hospital can be quite daunting for many people, which is why we're so pleased to be able to help make it easier than ever for local women to be screened out in their neighbourhoods rather than having to travel to the QE.

"I want to thank everyone who donated to our appeal; the mobile mammogram is a hugely valuable addition that will make a massive difference to the community."