Ref. 23370-32SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Nationwide Building Society knows more than most how money makes the world go round.

The Swindon-based finance giant also know how important every penny is for our Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Staff at the firm, based in Pipers Way, have been fundraising with gusto over the last few years and are now our number one fundraiser having raised more than £120,000.

The firm set us off to a flying start last March with a £80,000 donation.

Employees donned swimming hats for a sponsored swimathon, rabbit ears for a day of silence and sat back and relaxed during a bonanza coffee morning.

They have climbed an indoor rock face and even taken a travelling teddy on holiday to swell the appeal coffers.

Their latest offering was more than £40,000 that pushed the appeal over the halfway mark.

Michelle Leighton, Nationwide's community affairs manager, said: "Last year was the 10th anniversary of our partnership with Macmillan Cancer Relief.

"The Ted that travelled the furthest covered 158,631 miles on his summer holidays lucky Ted.

"Macmillan Cancer Relief will remain our flagship charity for the near future and we hope to be involved with the appeal until all the services are funded."

A more unusual venture came from Lee Hare, a customer advisor at Nationwide.

Lee and five fellow ghosthunters decided it would be fun to spend a spine-chilling night at the 14th century Bewley Court in Lacock in January and raised £1,000 in sponsorship.

Ghostly rumours about the eerie house are part of local folklore. Legend has it that the ghost of a murdered nun haunts the corridors.

The nun is said to have been killed for using a tunnel linking the house with the nearby Lacock Abbey to meet her lover.

Ghouls have been seen dancing in what was the Great Hall, and a spectral horsedrawn carriage is said to leave the court to travel along a long-forgotten road to a nearby common.

A more recent ghost is believed to be that of Oliver Ford, who owned the property before he died in 1992.

But none of these characters were making themselves heard when the Nationwide team went to stay.

Lee of Castle Dore, Freshbrook said: "We didn't see anything but we took some digital pictures when we were there and you can see these strange orbs in the photos.

"I don't know if I believe in all that but it looks pretty weird."

Joining Lee were his Nationwide colleagues Carol Mead, Jamie Watts, Nicky Knight and Jenna Wright, as well as his mother, Mandy James.

Lee added: "But the funniest thing was when we decided to go for a walk at 4.30am. It was pitch black and we couldn't see a thing. Jamie ended up walking straight into the swimming pool."

To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.