Southend’s Mayor raised £40,000 for good causes after a £10,000 boost on her final day from Southend United chairman Ron Martin.

Councillor Fay Evans decided to raise money for prostate and breast cancer treatment.

And right at the end the football chairman donated the money on behalf of the club following a question and answer session and auction earlier this month.

Councillor Evans, herself a survivor of breast cancer, said: “It has just been fantastic. Never in a million years did I think that we’d raise as much money as we have.

“To be able to raise so much for causes so close to my heart, that affect so many people, has been such a privilege and I am incredibly grateful to everybody who has donated time and money to help us. The past year has been an absolute blur of charity lunches, new projects, and fundraising events, but what has really stuck out has been the wonderful people I have had the chance to meet from all over our borough.

“I really am astounded by the generosity of people, and I am pleased to say that every single donation is going directly to the people and the places that need it most.”

This is not the first time this year the football club has supported good causes after manager Chris Powell ran the London Marathon for Prostate Cancer UK and the club offered experiences such as travelling on the team bus to a game and visiting the training ground. Mr Martin said: “Chris Powell has been an ambassador for prostrate cancer for six years and it was his chosen charity when recently running the London Marathon.

“The mayor had offered porters to the club to raise funds for charity and I thought it appropriate to support the charity both the mayor and the club’s manager support.”

Every penny of the final total will be invested in funding new equipment for enhanced patient facilities at Southend Hospital.

The mayor’s investments in breast cancer and prostate cancer units include the donation of an £8,000 brachytherapy scope, which will allow prostate cancer patients who have had bilateral hip replacement surgeries to avoid an arduous journey to the Mount Vernon Hospital in London in order to have specialised MRI scans.

Despite focusing on an investment in high-tech equipment, councillor Evans has also granted funding for new ceiling artwork in the breast unit, to create a more relaxing and diverting environment for women undergoing treatment.

Councillor Evans said: “Even the investments that don’t relate directly to treatment are so worthwhile, because they can change the patient’s experience of hospital care and make what can be a really frightening process much more welcoming.

“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved, and I hope the money continues to make a difference for many years to come.”