Wimmera Health Care Group announced on Monday morning that a Horsham resident, who chose to remain anonymous, had made the donation and lifted the community fundraising tally to more than $1,400,000.

“I can’t think of a more important cause for this region right now than the Wimmera

Cancer Centre and that is why I wanted to make this donation,” the donor said via the health care group.

“Not everyone has the means to make a donation like this but all donations, successful grants and government contributions of any size will contribute to helping get the centre built in one stage, not over several stages.

“I am hopeful that with my donation and continued support from the community and the state government, together we will see the Wimmera Cancer Centre go ahead in one building phase.”

The Wimmera Cancer Centre’s full vision, which will include palliative care consultation and on-site dialysis, will cost $1.5 million more than anticipated.

Site demolition and construction has already begun based on a $3 million budget sourced from the community fundraising, and $1 million each from the state and federal governments.

Rachael’s Wish cancer centre fundraising campaign ambassador Rachael Littrore said it the donation was overwhelming.

“That amount of money is incredibly generous,” she said.

“It will make a huge difference to the health of the people of Wimmera and Southern Mallee.

“It’s another step towards making the centre a reality and its good to see that two years after the campaign started that people are still willing to  contribute.”

Wimmera Health Care Group acting chief executive Mark Knights said he did not have words to express his gratitude for the donation.

“This contribution is the largest we have received and it is incredibly significant to the project’s success,” he said.

“The support shown to this project by the communities of the Wimmera and Southern- Mallee is truly humbling.

“All contributions made to the centre will have a lasting impact on the region’s health for many years to come and we just can’t say thank you enough.”

The site for the centre, at the corner of Robinson and Arnott Streets, has been cleared and the health care group expected building work to commence in the second half of the year.