Former popstar opens cancer unit

A new dedicated unit for breast cancer sufferers was opened at the QEII Hospital on Thursday by singer-turned-celebrity gardener Kim Wilde.

The Vicki Adkins Breast Unit, named after its chief fundraiser, was opened alongside the hospital’s new MRI scanner unit. Kim cut the ribbon with Vicki, who raised nearly £1million for the £2.4million breast unit through the Hertfordshire Breast Appeal.

The former pop singer, who lives in Codicote, is a patron of the appeal and helped design the garden at the breast unit, which was funded by money raised by the appeal and by the NHS. It has some of the most up-to-date equipment in the country for detecting breast cancer and provides a relaxing and comforting atmosphere for patients.

Speaking at Thursday’s ceremony, Vicki, who started the appeal after surviving cancer herself, said: “At last my dream for the future men and women of Hertfordshire has come true.