VITAL research into prostate cancer by a world-renowned scientist in York has received a major funding boost.

Three local organisations combined their skills to win an Aviva Community Award for the University of York's Professor Norman Maitland’s research.

The York Vikings Rotary Club, D E Ford Insurance Brokers and Simpsons of York took up the challenge in April to produce a video and gain votes to help Prof Maitland and his team in their research to find an effective treatment for prostate cancer.

Not all prostate cancers will prove fatal, however research is needed to be able to distinguish the deadly cancers so a long-term treatment can be developed.

The York Vikings Rotary Club learned about Prof Maitland’s research due to a number of their members having been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Using Facebook, YouTube and an email campaign, the ‘York Vikings against Prostate Cancer’ community project gained more than 8000 votes.

The £10,000 Aviva award which has been generously matched by York Vikings Rotary, will provide Prof. Maitland and his team with the funds they need to upgrade their current microscope with a new lens and filter cubes together with a high resolution colour camera and software to interpret the digital images it produces.

This equipment is essential to the scientists’ research into tumour stem cells and how they develop.

Chris Greenall, managing director of D E Ford Insurance Brokers, said: “It has been a privilege to meet Prof Maitland and learn about the inspirational work both he and his team do.

"Having this worldwide renowned scientist on our doorstep, performing cutting-edge research is something the York community should be proud of."