ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME opportunities are up for grabs in the Dorset Echo’s competition for readers this week.

Not only are we offering 27 sensational prizes but all entries will boost the coffers of the Dorset County Hospital’s Digital Mammography Appeal.

All proceeds of the competition will be donated to the worthy appeal, which has inspired the people of Dorset to donate and raise thousands of pounds for a vitally needed piece of equipment since its launch in the beginning of March.

A total of £500,000 is needed in total in order to purchase and install a mammography mach-ine that will move the hospital’s mammography mach-ine from film and chemicals to digital – meaning faster diagnosis, more accurate detection and an ability to treat greater numbers.

Recent figures show that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and of these, one in four will die from the disease.

So far, with a sterling effort from fundraisers and people in the community, the appeal has raised £325,000 but a big boost is needed in order to raise the remaining £175,000.

With that in mind the Echo has launched this competition which aims to get thousands of readers to enter before the closing date on Wednesday, May 11.

Echo editor Toby Granville said: “Local celebrities, businesses and politicians have been overwhelmingly generous, don-ating such fabulous prizes to our competition. “I hope that everyone will pick up the phone and enter this week so that you’ll not only have a chance of winning but also help fund this life-saving appeal.”

All you have to do is answer the simple question, pick up your phone and either send a text or call the corresponding number with the competition prize you want the most.

If you want them all you can enter as many times as you want – and at the same time donate around £1 each time to the appeal.

Today we reveal three more prizes – a two day fishing cookery course at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s River Cottage, a dinner for two at Michelin star-rated restaurant Sienna in Dorchester and lunch for two at the House of Commons with South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

JUST ANSWER THIS QUESTION: How much money does the DCH Digital Mammography Appeal need to raise in total?

• TO ENTER: By phone: Call 0904 0490 adding the three digits under your chosen prize. For example if it was the Downton Abbey prize you would call 0904 0490 125 and follow the instructions.

By Text: Send your text to 80360 starting with the codeword, for example ‘DEDOC’ for Doc Martin, leave a space, followed by your answer, name and contact details.