BUCKINGHAMSHIRE businesses have been praised for their generosity by two top charities which have benefited from their talent for raising money.

Champion fundraiser Harry Baker was singled out by Cancer Research UK for raising More than one million pounds and he was also given a top honour, The Flame of Hope Award, in recognition of his outstanding achievement.

Last year, alone the former marketing and events management executive from Bledlow Road, Princes Risborough, raised more than £100,000 despite a personal battle with cancer.

Previously he conducted another hugely successful fund campaign from his hospital bed after a life saving heart operation in Wycombe.

Last year, Mr Baker was devastated to learn he had prostate cancer.

He said: "I was in the depths of despair for three months but I am out of it now and carrying on with life as best I can. I have been told I am in the clear for three to five years. It has been a difficult time but I am a fighter."

Described in the past as a "human dynamo" for the way he gets people behind his enterprises, he was given the award by the chairman of Cancer Research UK David Newbigging.

The audience at Le Meridien Hotel, Piccadilly was told he had shown "exceptional dedication giving his time, effort and boundless enthusiasm" organising a series of high profile balls in aid of The Bobby Moore Ball Bowel Cancer Research Fund.

Mr Baker was formerly group marketing manager of ICL before semi-retirement. He got into fund raising when a former friend and colleague died at the age of 32 before she could complete plans for a ball in aid of cancer research.

He went on to raise thousands with increasingly spectacular events. The latest is a ball on November 19 at the Hilton London Metropole with Stephanie Moore, MBE, widow of football legend Bobby Moore as ball president.

She commented: "Harry is incredible, there is no-one else like him in the world of fundraising."

In a separate event, the Royal Bank of Scotland gathered local businesses to take part in a thrilling Dragon Boat Race at Longridge Scout Boating Centre which raised nearly £7,000. This was heralded as a spectacular achievement from a single event and the bank will be honoured by the Scannappeal for its efforts.

Eight teams of ten raced along a 500m course battling turbulent conditions in which one team capsized. Much to their amazement the RBS team won the race and swore that it wasn't a fix. Teams donated £500 to enter the race, which was followed by a barbecue and prize-giving ceremony. Customers taking part were: Broadway Tyres, Helifix, AVKSEG (UK) Limited, Lane 4 Management Group Limited, Lombard,Chartridge Developments and solicitors BP Collins.

It was the brainchild of Andy Kinghorn of RBS Commercial Banking, Oxford Road, High Wycombe. The money completes fund raising for the current cause breast cancer equipment.

Scannapeal director Amanda Martin praised the bank saying it made a welcome change to receive help from a business rather than private donations.

See www.scannappeal.co.uk.