The answer - a $50,000 donation to a vital regional medical facility.

Members of the Rotary Club of West Dubbo yesterday met with Cancer Care Western NSW fundraising chairwoman Jan Savage to present the organisation with a cheque to help fund a room at a care accommodation facility near the new cancer centre in Orange.

While it may seem strange for a Dubbo group to hand over funds to an Orange-based charity, the club’s president Howard Rutherfurd said his group had decided on Care West Lodge as their chosen charity when it became obvious Dubbo would not receive a cancer unit.

“Up until then we were supporting cancer support places in Sydney, where people would have to drive 500km after their treatment,” Mr Rutherfurd said.

“Having a facility like this in Orange where they can stay overnight if need be, will be a great benefit.”

Cancer Care Western NSW’s Jan Savage was overwhelmed by the donation.

She said the donation showed a willingness to help cancer sufferers west of the Blue Mountains.

“This is a statement of faith in what we are doing. It is a community effort and they have done it for Dubbo and peripheral areas of the region,” she said.