GLASGOW'S newest cancer charity is marking some special milestones.

As told in last night's Evening Times, the Beatson Cancer Charity celebrated its third anniversary yesterday.

And to coincide with the birthday event, bosses announced the charity has raised more than £14 million to be spent in Scotland's leading cancer hospital.

Marking what he claims is a "hugely successful" three years, David Welch, Chief Executive of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “The remarkable total raised is a true testament to the generosity of cancer patients, their families and the wider community in their commitment to raising funds to fight cancer.

"I would like to thank everyone who has fundraised and donated to help us make such a difference to the lives of so many people affected by cancer.’’

The Evening Times exclusively told of the launch of the new Beatson Cancer Charity, which came as a merger of Friends of the Beatson and The Beatson Oncology Centre Fund.

Since launching on February 27 2014, the £14m raised has allowed the provision and expansion of a wide range of patient and family support services.

It has also paid for the delivery of many projects to benefit people affected by cancer, including funding specialist clinical staff, world leading research projects, cancer education and awareness initiatives and innovative service developments.

Since launching, more than 56,000 visits have been made to Beatson Cancer Charity’s Wellbeing Centre.

More than 25,000 complementary therapies provided free of charge to cancer patients across The Beatson West of Scotland Centre, Lanarkshire Beatson, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, The New Victoria Hospital, Royal Alexandra Hospital and Vale of Leven Hospital.

Bosses say a proud achievement was giving £850,000 to a ground-breaking radiotherapy research project, which will have a significant impact on survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients across Scotland and further afield.

And they also highlight giving £600,000 to the Specialist Health and Work Service that supports patients continuing their work during treatment and returning to work post treatment, advocates on their behalf in relation to employment and supports healthcare professionals to assist patients with work related issues.

Some 30,000 people in Scotland are told they have cancer every year with trends predicting this number is likely to rise to almost 35,000 by 2020.

Bosses say charities like Beatson Cancer Charity will play an increasingly fundamental and critical role in the fight against cancer.

David says the charity has plans in the coming years to expand its impact and support even more people living with the disease.

He added: “Although we have already achieved so much, there is much, much more to be done and the next three years will see further significant growth and development for the charity.

"The west of Scotland still has one of the highest rates of cancer in Europe - so the hard work is far from over."

In reaching an increasing number of patients and families year on year, Beatson Cancer Charity has committed and planned expenditure on a variety of services and projects.

This already includes a more than £6m investment in providing the very best support for cancer patients and their families and more than £4m committed to funding additional specialist posts across radiotherapy and nursing.

Commitments to cancer research, education and new service developments amount to a further £4m.

David said: "We hope that everyone will continue to show their support through fundraising, volunteering and donating to the charity as we are absolutely determined to do all we can to reach even more of those in need of our support.”