Macmillans Rowena Cotterill gets a send-off from Monahans fundraisers. From the left: Vicki Speller, Rob Foster and David RoblinSWINDON CANCER APPEAL: NUMBER-crunching accountants aren't known for their philanthropy.

But staff at one Swindon chartered accountants' firm have reversed that trend by raising more than £6,000 for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Staff at Monahans quizzed themselves on their pop and sports knowledge and even gave themselves sore behinds and aching legs from a 75-mile bike-ride from Glastonbury to Swindon to raise £6,129 which means that the appeal is closing on its £1m target.

David Roblin of Monahans said: "Our staff took a vote and decided to support Macmillan.

"We support a different charity every year, but everyone felt that it was playing such an important role in the community that we would support it."

The amount is the largest figure ever raised by the firm for charity.

Most of the money came from the firm's bike ride. Last year about 20 staff took part in the ride beginning at the firm's offices in Glastonbury to the firm's headquarters in Swindon, a distance of about 75 miles.

Mr Roblin said: "We have quite a few keen cyclists in the firm and they know what to expect on the ride, and most end up aching but it's all great fun and all worthwhile.

"Raising money for Macmillan or charity is great fun and everybody can get involved." Many Swindon firms have been getting in on the Macmillan fundraising act.

Last month, staff at the Nation-wide building society handed over £17,000 while energy firm RWE Npower boosted the appeal with a £21,000 donation.

With the thousands of pounds coming from dedicated fundraisers across the town, Macmillan will help to fund two trainee Macmillan nurses who will be easing pressure on dedicated medical staff and increasing chances of survival for ordinary Swindon folk.

It will also get the town a Macmillan clinical psychologist in cancer and palliative care.

Although each will have different specialist subjects, all three will have similar roles making contact with cancer patients, listening, understanding and addressing their emotions .

To find out more about the appeal call the Swindon Cancer Appeal office on its new number 01793 432252 or 432253.