71956-01SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: GOLDEN Wedding couple Michael and Mabel Anderson shunned gifts to help cancer patients.

Instead of giving presents, friends and relatives donated cash to the Swindon Cancer Appeal, raising £550.

The couple chose to support the appeal because great-grandfather Mic-hael, 72, has recently won his own battle against cancer.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago, and underwent an operation to remove the tumour.

Now, he is fit and well, and looking forward to enjoying his retirement again.

"Mabel was brilliant, and gave me the support I needed to be healthy again," said the retired engineer of Ferndale Road, Rodbourne.

"This was despite the fact that she has arthritis and uses crutches.

"It was a difficult time, but the whole family have been great.

"It was quite a scare when I was diagnosed, and I would like to give a big thank you to everyone who contributed to raising so much money."

An anniversary barbecue was held at Blackland Lakes in Calne organised by their children.

The pair who have five children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild met at a youth club in north London, where they grew up.

They married on Michael's birthday August 21 in 1954.

Commenting on their half century of marriage, Mabel said: "We've always been there for each other, and that's been the secret.

"It's about looking out for each other."

The cancer appeal has raised more than £400,000 towards the £600,000 target.

It will go towards providing more specialist Macmillan nurses for Swindon.

Tamash Lal