The Newsquest 2 team Picture Ref: 77364-18SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: SWINDON'S big hitters have been getting into a swing of things for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Fifteen teams gathered in the bright sunshine at the Castle Combe Golf Course, near Chippenham, to tee-off the fundraising event, each having paid £400 for the privilege of playing on the exclusive course.

Among those taking part were two teams from the Evening Advertiser's parent company Newsquest while Bloor Homes the event's main sponsor also submitted two teams.

Swindon-based Nationwide Building Society also entered a team, as did the BASS printing company, Definitive Consult-ing, Exacta, Coleman Roofing and Cats Solutions. "We're delighted to support such a worthy cause," said John Lusty, Bloor Homes' regional managing director.

He said: "It was a fantastic day, with lots of teams taking part. Macmillan is a household name, famed for its tireless and noble work helping cancer patients.

"Its efforts touch the lives of millions throughout the UK, including members of the Bloor Homes team, whose family members have benefited from Macmillan's care."

The teams teed-off on the first of their marathon 27 holes at 9am after filling themselves up on coffee and bacon rolls.

They completed a competitive Texas Scramble, which works with four-person teams playing four balls from the same spot.

The best of the four drives is chosen and all four team members then hit from that spot, so even if someone plays a really bad shot, they will still play from the best shot. In the afternoon the players enjoyed a full afternoon's play on the rest of the challenging 18-hole course.

Having a swinging time at the event was Swindon Cancer Appeal manager, Graziella Campisano.

She said: "It's been a really great day for all of the players. The weather has even been good if a little nippy but it's been great to see so many players swinging their clubs for the Swindon Cancer Appeal."

It's not yet known how much has been raised by the Golf Day, but money raised will go towards the funding of two new Macmillan nurses at the Great Western Hospital.

In February the Swindon Cancer Appeal reached its target of £600,000 and now its aim is to reach a £1m, with around £700,000 raised so far.

With this extra £400,000, the Swindon Cancer Appeal can provide a training post for a Macmillan specialist breast care cancer nurse and a training post for another nurse specialising in gastro-intestinal cancer.

It will also help to provide a Macmillan clinical psychologist in cancer and palliative care as well as patient grants, which are used to help those people with financial difficulties as a result of cancer.

The results will appear in tomorrow's Evening Advertiser

Anthony Osborne