THE Ark Cancer Centre Charity has been picked this year’s Inspire Business Awards charity partner.

The charity looks set to benefit from fundraising at the glitzy awards ceremony which will be held at Highfield Park hotel where 500 people are expected to attend on November 12.

The Ark Cancer Centre Charity aims to raise £5million towards a new cancer treatment centre that will serve people in Basingstoke and Deane and surrounding areas.

Delighted with the news, Merv Rees, Ark Cancer Centre Charity trustee, said: “Inspire has become the biggest and best annual business awards in Hampshire, and having the support, and endorsement, of the awards’ steering committee is a real honour and boost for our charity.

“The new cancer treatment centre will make such a difference to the lives of so many people across the Inspire Business Awards area.

“Being selected as the 2015 awards charity partner will help to raise greater awareness of Ark Cancer Centre Charity’s fundraising appeal.

Merv added: “I am looking forward to being at the awards evening on November 12 and to joining everyone in celebrating the achievements, and success, of the nominees and winners.”

Phil Wilding chairman of the Inspire steering committee said: “It’s great that at the awards ceremony not only do we have the chance to celebrate the success of businesses, but we also have the chance to part of the success of the new cancer centre which will serve the local community for many years to come, through raising funds at our event whilst guests enjoy the fun of the evening.”