THE Macmillan Cancer Appeal has now hit the £700,000 mark. Swindonians have risen to the challenge bringing in £100,000 in two months after we announced the appeal had been extended.

The Adver-backed appeal is well on our way to the new £1m target.

Staff at Swindon-based Nationwide were responsible for tipping the total over £700,000.

Workers held a fun day bringing in £4,888.14 for the appeal.

Angie Watts, who co-ordinates fundraising events at the branch, says staff support the campaign because a lot of them have had first hand experience of Macmillan's work.

Nationwide is one of the biggest supporters of the appeal.

Mrs Watts said: "Macmillan is the main charity that we support. It's a fantastic charity.

"Personally I've had a lot of experience with Macmillan. My father died in the Prospect Hospice after suffering with cancer. And, a lot of the staff at Nationwide have come into contact with Macmillan or know someone who has.

"It gives us more motivation to raise the money because we have had experience of the charity we are raising the money for."

During the fun day staff at the Regent Street branch held a tombola and raffle.

The event had a chocolate theme and the winners walked away with chocolate treats.

And around 200 staff members from Nationwide branches across the south west helped to raise the total by holding their own events.

Mrs Watts said: "Everyone did their bit to raise the money.

"It's great because our customers really like to see us getting involved with the appeal because it goes to help people in Swindon."

So far cash from donations has funded specialist nurses for the Great Western Hospital.

The appeal is also hoping to provide a training post for a Macmillan specialist breast care cancer nurse and a training post for another nurse specialising in gastrointestinal cancer.

Money raised is also going to provide a Macmillan clinical psychologist who will specialise in cancer and palliative care.

It will also help fund special patient grants, which help people with financial difficulties as a result of cancer.

For more information about the Swindon Cancer Appeal call the appeal office on 01793 432252 or 01793 432253.

No let up in public response

Graziella Campisano, who runs the appeal, is amazed at Nationwide's commitment to the cause.

She said: "I am absolutely thrilled that we've hit our next target.

"I feel really overwhelmed by the support we receive.

"So far Nationwide has raised more than £140,000 for us."

The appeal hit its £600,000 in March a year ahead of schedule and due to its success it was extended to £1m.

"We are now in the second phase of the appeal," said Graziella. I did worry that the public's interest in the appeal may start to fade.

"But momentum has just grown and it continues to grow.

"Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer so I think more people are willing to back us."

Lyndsay Scanlan