JULY 7: Swindon Cares is aiming to raise a minimum of £10,000 for the NSPCC, Age Concern and the Swindon Cancer Appeal. BHAVANI VADDE reports on next week's fundraising.

WITHIN two weeks of being launched, an appeal has inspired people to think of weird and wonderful ways to raise funds for three local good causes.

Many of the money-making events will take place during a dedicated Swindon Cares week which kicks off on Saturday.

Swindon Cares is an umbrella organisation that aims to involve everyone in the town to raise money for this year's nominated charities - the NSPCC, Age Concern and the Swindon Cancer Appeal to raise money for Macmillan nurses.

The initiative is supported by Nationwide, Zurich, GWR Community Trust, the Rotary Club of Swindon, Swindon Council, the Swindon Chamber of Commerce and the Evening Advertiser.

Swindon Cares wants schools, community groups, companies and individuals to help raise a minimum of £10,000 during that time.

From cake bakes to dress down days, individuals and companies are coming up with original ways to raise much needed cash as well as have fun.

One novel idea is to attempt a mass centipede walk around the athletics track at the County Ground.

Swindon Council's Lifestyle Development Team want people to literally join up for the event as participants will have to walk around the track while connected to the person in front and behind them. The current record for the maximum number of people united in a centipede walk is 1,665 and the team is urging people to take part in an attempt to break that record.

Fran Pound of the lifestyle team, said: "We were trying to come up with something different that lots of people could get involved with and we thought of this. It is just a bit wacky."

And two members of the Swindon Chamber of Commerce are going to do their best to keep quiet for a day.

Steph Trinci, membership and events manager, and Samantha Jackson, business development manager, still plan to do a full day's work by communicating with clients by email instead of by phone.

They are also known as a couple of chatterboxes so for them, a sponsored silence is no mean task.

Steph said: "When Sam and I get together, you can't shut us up. We are known as Darkie and Blondie. We just spur each other on we are always laughing, chattering or gossiping.

"Our members think it's absolutely hilarious. The thought of us even trying to be quiet for an hour let alone a whole day is amazing.

"We want to do it just to prove to everybody that when there is something serious to be done, we can do it because it is for a really good cause.

"I think we are going to manage it but with difficulty."

John Honeyman, the landlord of the Swiss Chalet pub in Gorse Hill, has dedicated an entire week of activities to Swindon Cares.

He has thought up enough crazy ideas to keep regulars fully entertained while they do their bit for charity.

He aims to raise between £3,000 and £4,000 from the week.

John said: "To encourage people to come down we are giving away a DVD player every night thanks to the generous support of local business.

"I enjoy organising events but this time we've gone really mad. But it's all in such a good cause."

The fun kicks off next Monday with a darts night, followed by a quiz night on Tuesday, July 15, a Casino night on Wednesday, July 16, and a Bullseye evening on Thursday, July 17, copying the well-known TV programme.

On Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, it's Christmas come early when the pub holds Christmas Eve on Friday night, followed by Christmas day on Saturday lunchtime, complete with a three course dinner and Father Christmas. And the festivities continue on Saturday night which has been designated New Year's Eve.

To round up the week, Sunday July 20 will be filled with children's entertainment including competition including one to see who can eat the most spaghetti.

Organisers have more ambitious plans for Swindon Cares in the coming years as they plan to resurrect an old tradition.

Swindon last held a marathon in 1990 but the committee are in the initial stage of planning a half marathon to be the focus of next year's event.

The centipede walk will take place on Tuesday, July 15, at the County Ground. For more information call Fran on (01793) 511033 or just turn up on the night.

For more information about the Swiss Chalet activities contact John on (01793) 535610.

Swindon Cares has produced fundraising packs containing inspirational ideas as well as, advice and money-making tips.

If you want to get hold of a pack, contact Pam Webb on (01793) 502450 or email her at pam.webb@ uk.zurich.com.

The information is also available on the Swindon Cares website www.swindoncares.co.uk.

Whatever you decide to do, the Evening Advertiser wants to hear about it, so call Bhavani Vadde on Swindon 528144 ext 248.