It's your £270,000 birthday present

THE Swindon Cancer Appeal is about to celebrate its first birthday.

For nearly a year people all over the town have been digging deep to ensure this appeal is one of our most successful.

The appeal was launched on March 25 last year with the aim of raising £600,000 to provide two specialist Macmillan nurses and a consultant in palliative care.

The cash will pay for the positions for three years, after which they will be funded by the NHS.

Already the total has reached £270,000.

It might be almost a year since the fundraisers started organising sponsored cycles, runs, swims, waxings, concerts, present wrappings and parachute jumps but the appeal has not lost any momentum.

If anything, it is stronger than ever as more and more people do their bit to help people living with cancer in Swindon.

Easter may be a few weeks off yet but that has not stopped Ray Smith from preparing an event that will have chocoholics licking their lips with delight.

Ray, 51, of Faringdon, who owns the M and R Foods stall at Blunsdon Market, is going to raffle a giant Easter 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."

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

And, if you are worried about overdoing the chocolate intake during the Easter holiday, one of the sporting events will help you get back in shape.

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.

Since the Advertiser told of plans for a 100ft abseil this Spring, the appeal office has been flooded with calls from daredevils all over the town.

These, including security officer Terry Quinn, 53, are preparing to launch themselves off the top of WH Smith in Greenbridge.

Terry, of Witham Way, Upper Stratton, said that he wanted to take part because his wife Ruth, 59, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

He said: "She has good and bad days. I'm looking forward to the abseil and it's for such a great cause."

The May Day abseil has also proved tempting for a team of adrenalin seekers from the Great Western Hospital.

Among those planning to take the drop are members of the hospital's cancer team and GWH chief executive Lyn Hill-Tout.

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

The appeal needs a professional photographer to capture the abseiling action. Appeal manager Graziella Campisano would like a photographer to take pictures of all participants.

She said: "It would be great if we could get a professional along to take pictures free of charge, and take a percentage of sales for payment. We would also ask that a percentage of photographic sales go towards the appeal total."

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 £1,600 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."

If you want to sponsor a drake call Steph Trinci at Swindon Chamber of Commerce on 01793 642225. 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.

The Rotarians are also busy with preparations for the sporting dinner at Blunsdon House Hotel on March 16.

Only two tables of 10 are still available. Former Welsh and British Lion John Taylor will be talking about his life on and off the pitch. Guests will also be entertained by Garfield Morgan, who appeared in The Sweeney and Minder.

Tables are £350 and to book call Randy Burden on 01793 529050.

Meanwhile, Arkell's special celebration Adver Ale is going down a treat in Swindon.

The beer, produced by the 160-year-old brewery to mark the 150th birthday of the Advertiser, went on sale in pubs and clubs around the town last month and is proving popular, according to Arkells managing director James Arkell.

Proceeds from the sale of the five per cent strength beer will go towards the appeal.

And the total was boosted by £500 thanks to members of Swindon Gang Show.

They met on Sunday to watch the video from their Christmas show in November. The cash was collected in buckets following each performance.

Mary Stevens, president of Swindon Gang Show, said: "While the Gang Show costs a great deal of money to stage, we feel it is important the cast and in particular the younger members are aware that their efforts can benefit other good causes."

Alex Emery