Keep the cash flowing in

While she's determined to complete the drop from WH Smith in Greenbridge, she's not sure about the costume.

She said: "I went to Plas Pencelli in Wales with my school and had a disastrous event. I was the only one who wouldn't abseil down a mountain side in the snow and fog-filled atmosphere, so had a three-hour walk back down with the centre leader.

"I've taken lots of challenges during my radio life but have not done an abseil before. I have promoted a lot of them and broadcast about them, but refused to do one.

"I don't mind what I wear, within reason. I'm open to suggestions. Maybe the organisation who sponsors me the most money could chose the costume I wear."

Shirley's feat is attracting sponsorship from foreign climes. She said: "I have received a promise of a donation from a Swindon lady who now lives in Australia. She had a friend here who used Macmillan.

"And also a donation from a gentleman in Spain. It's great to see international response coming in for a local cause.

"My motto has always been 'fun and fundraising should go hand in hand' as this benefits everyone."

It costs £10 a person to register for the event on Saturday, May 1, and a minimum of £100 sponsorship is required.

Bloor Homes is adding its support to the appeal. The company may be busy redeveloping parts of Swindon but it is also keen to help build on the appeal's fundraising agenda.

The firm, which has been established in Swindon since 1988, is sponsoring the Mayor's Golf Day, arranged for Tuesday, May 11, at Wrag Barn Golf and Country Club.

Mixed teams of four will tee off for an 18-hole competition, while other activities include putting and chipping contests.

Lorraine Palmer, Bloor Homes' sales and marketing manager, has been practising her swing ready for the big day.

Lorraine, 44, said: "We are really happy to be helping this golf day as it's for such a great cause.

"Both my parents, Frank and Eileen Saunders, died from cancer in 1995 and 1997, and they were supported by Macmillan nurses so it's something very close to my heart.

"May 11, the day it's being held, was my mother's birthday, so it will be a poignant event for me.

"Bloor has already got a team together and I think it will be a lot of fun."

Children at Goddard Park Primary School have been learning all about giving.

The school, in Park North, has raised £2,000 with a variety of events. Staff and pupils have a special reason for supporting the appeal.

Headteacher Mike Welsh lost his wife Val, who was a teaching assistant at the school, to a rare form of cancer two years ago.

Mr Welsh said: "We were particularly keen to support the appeal because of what Val meant to the school."

Val's special place at the school is remembered with a memorial garden.

Last month all 400 children held their tongues to raise cash for The Big Hush silence.

Among those taking part was pupil Jaymelee McCarthy, nine, who said: "I have raised £15 from my friends and relatives. I managed to keep quiet for half an hour."

The school has held non-uniform days and is also planning to take part in an Easter egg campaign to raise more cash.

Parents will be asked to buy just one egg for their children and donate any other cash they would have spent to the appeal.

Nine-year-old Jordon Collett thinks it's a good idea. She said: "I like helping people who aren't very well."

A giant Easter egg must be the ideal treat for every chocoholic but getting your hands on one may not be an easy task.

Ray Smith, 51, of Faringdon, who owns the M and R Foods stall at Blunsdon Market, has just the answer. He is going to raffle a massive egg, worth £75. The grandfather of four said: "Everyone seems to know someone who has been helped by Macmillan nurses so I wanted to do something for a great cause.

"My wife Margaret died from cancer 10 years ago when she was 42 and she was supported by the nurses too.

"They do a wonderful job and the Swindon Cancer Appeal is a great way to ensure this service continues to help people in Swindon."

Tickets are £1 each and available at the stall. The raffle will take place on Saturday, April 10, at Blunsdon Market.

Businesses are being urged to splash out in this year's Great Swindon Duck Race, sponsored by Nationwide.

The annual event, organised by the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town, raises about £7,000 for charity.

Firms can sponsor a drake for a £50 donation, or individuals may buy a duck for £1. So far more than £3,500 has been raised.

Ducks can be bought at WB Photographic, in Victoria Road, Old Town; Spot on Models, in Fleet Street; and Burden Electronics, in County Road.

The ducks will be thrown into the River Ray on May Day Bank Holiday, May 3, at the Wootton Bassett Road recreation ground.

Rotarian David Jackson said: "Nearly everybody knows someone who has been affected by cancer and what makes this appeal so worthwhile is that it is supporting local services.

"We would like to hear from shops and businesses who want to sell ducks." The winning duck will net its owner £750, and there is a second prize of £100.

The first drake across the line will win a magnificent crystal trophy.

Call Rotarian David "Quack" Pratt on 0845 2255787 for more information.

The popular Castle Mountain Bike Ride is back again and organisers hope this year will see more pedalling action than ever.

Jill Greenaway, the bike ride organiser, said: "We have had lots of inquiries about the bike ride since all the articles have gone in, which is encouraging.

"We're hoping it will be just as good if not better than last year. It's not only about raising money for people living with cancer it's about keeping healthy too." The ride, sponsored by Mitchell Cycles, of Shrivenham Road, and Swindon Cycles Super Stores, of Beechcroft Road, will take place on Sunday, June 6. The route follows the Ridgeway in a loop of the Downs, and cyclists can choose a 10, 15 or 25-mile ride.

Youngsters around Swindon have been taking a break from their usual lessons to learn about Macmillan Cancer Relief.

Former teacher Barbara Moody, of Cloverlands, in Haydon Wick, has been visiting schools to discuss ways to stay healthy.

Mrs Moody, who battled cancer of the womb and breast cancer, said: "I've been talking to children in their assemblies to get them to think about healthy living.

"It's quite early days yet as I've only visited a few schools but I hope to continue this over the next few months. It would be good to have smaller groups and hear the children's views too."

Mrs Moody, who recently called in to Eastrop Infant School, in Highworth, was a primary school teacher at St Catherine's in Stratton, Greenmeadow Junior School and St Mary's in Purton.

She added: "I taught appeal manager Graziella Campisano when she was about nine. Even then she was really enthusiastic and a joy to teach.

"Visiting schools like this is continuing the idea that Macmillan founder, Douglas Macmillan, had. He wanted to educate everybody about how to keep their bodies healthy."

Headteacher Sue Marshall said: "By working with charities it develops an awareness to help others."

Barrel organ player Phil Webb is celebrating after another successful street collection for the appeal.

Phil Webb, a gardener from Stratton, has a special reason for wanting to help people living with cancer. He lived with a lump on his lip for three years before going to the doctors.

It was only then he discovered he had skin cancer. But the gardener from Stratton was lucky.

Phil, who is in his 50s, said: "If I hadn't gone to get it checked out when I did it would have been a full-blown mess within weeks.

"The doctors told me that the cancer would have quickly spread across my cheek and I would have lost half my face."

Now Phil is more than happy to raise money to help people in similar situations.

He said: "It's amazing to hear how many people have been affected by cancer. Macmillan is always a very popular organisation and people are more than happy to support one of the best charities around."

Last Saturday he and five other barrel organists lined Marlborough High Street treated shoppers to a musical treat. Their efforts raised £856. Phil's partner Maureen Cook, who is in her 60s, said: "We had a very good response. Some people even donated £20 notes to the collection boxes."

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

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.