AN appeal to help fund cancer care services has been boosted by support from Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given.

Mr Given has agreed to become patron of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Tyneside Appeal, which hopes to raise £575,000 in two years.

The money will be used to fund specialist cancer services across the region and develop existing services.

On Tyneside, the organisation provides Macmillan Nurses, GPs, breast care nurses and other specialists, as well as one-off grants to help ease financial problems arising from the disease.

Last season, Mr Given donated a cheque for £2,000 he received from Premier League sponsors Barclaycard to Cancer Research UK.

Macmillan Cancer Relief is one of Newcastle United's nominated charities, along with the Fleming Children's Trust and the NSPCC.

For information on helping with the appeal, contact Ms Richardson on 0191-226 1544.