A hospital radio station which serves cancer patients 24 hours a day faces the chop if it does not raise vital funds.

Radio Marsden, based at the Royal Marsden cancer hospital in Sutton, needs £50,000 to replace ageing equipment otherwise it will have to go off-air permanently.

Veteran Radio 2 broadcaster Ken Bruce joined the Radio Marsden’s chairman Jason Reynolds last week to launch an appeal to save the station.

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have already shown their support for the charity and a host of celebrities are expected to follow their example by tweeting about the appeal.

Mr Bruce said: "Hospital radio is so important to people who have to spend time in a ward and Radio Marsden has been, quite simply, one of the best for almost 44 years.

“Please join me in doing everything we can to keep them broadcasting."

The equipment is nearly 15 years-old and can only stand so many short term repairs.

The station’s chairman, Jason Reynolds described Radio Marsden as vital for both patients and staff at the hospital.

He said: "With Radio Marsden we do it a bit different we get people going round to every patient and asking them if they want to request their favourite songs.

"A lot of our volunteers are ex-cancer sufferers as well and we can offer some real company.

"The studio is getting older and older and getting worse for wear.

“If we can't fund it - next year we will close. This is the really sad thing.

"I have been a volunteer for 20 years and as chairman now - for it to fall on my watch - depresses and saddens me.

“It will be a devastating blow to patients, hospital staff and of course the Radio Marsden team if we have to shut down.”

The Radio Marsden bear will be meeting and greeting celebrities to help raise the profile of the campaign called: “Can you bear to see Radio Marsden close?"

To donate visit justgiving.com/RMBear, or radiomarsden.co.uk.

Donations can also be sent directly to Radio Marsden, Royal Marsden Hospital, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5PQ.