The Dad’s Quest appeal to raise awareness about prostate cancer and help pay for two mobile scanner machines has already sparked an encouraging response.

Campaign founder Charlie Pepper - who recently launched the initiative in memory of her father Michael, who died aged 64 last March from the illness - said: “Feedback has been great. People are finding out about us from the website and our launch in the Isle of Thanet Extra and on kmfm. Men have pledged to come along to one of our free blood testing events and support for our fund raising is growing.”

Thanet’s MPs Roger Gale and Steve Ladyman have added their support to the campaign, which is the Isle of Thanet’s Extra’s annual appeal for 2009. The target is £16,000 for the scanners.

Later this year the Thanet Extra will support it with two major events with the majority of proceeds going to Dad’s Quest and an agreed amount going to the children’s road safety charity, Kent Walking Bus.

Charlie, head of IT and Business at Hartsdown Technology College in Margate, also has the full support of staff and students. She said: “I have been stunned by the positive response to the appeal.You never know what to excpect when you start an appeal like this but it certainly appears to have touched a nerve and also removed some of the taboo around the subject, which is exactly what we need.”

A sponsored eight-man parachute jump is planned from Headcorn Airfield on March 7, while a bingo evening at the college on March 27 will also feature free blood testing by qualified nurses from 6.30pm.

For a full list of events, further information and ticket news, contact the Dad’s Quest appeal via www.dadsquest.co.uk or ring 07972923126.Dad’s Quest is working with the Prostate Cancer Support Association and the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust