When the Swindon Cancer Appeal was launched in March last year John Mills was one of the first to come forward and offer his support.

Sadly John died on Saturday night at the Prospect Hospice in Wroughton, where nurses had cared for him for the last few weeks. He was 64.

His sister Brenda Willoughby said that while she will miss John greatly, she has comfort in the knowledge that his last days were spent in comfort.

Brenda, 62, of County Road, Swindon, said: "I saw John just a few hours before he died and he looked peaceful.

"He said to me just a few days before he died that he wanted to die at the Prospect because he felt so loved there. He had great confidence in the Macmillan nurses and they helped him remain positive even towards the end.

"Those nurses do such a marvellous job, and I know he wanted the appeal to carry on with its success."

John, who was a general operative at Elmar plastic moulding manufacturers in Greenbrdige, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2002.

But subsequent scans showed that the disease had spread into his spine and bones.

John told the Evening Advertiser last year how he reacted when he was told the news. "I was shocked. They told me it was terminal. There was no cure and although treatment could slow it down, I would never get better. Once it gets into your bones that's it. You can't replace a skeleton."

He was introduced to Macmillan nurse Ann Yates, who visited him every couple of weeks.

He said of her: "Ann has helped take all my fears away. She comes round and we have a chat but she also sorts my drugs out for me.

"We have built up a very good relationship. You can ask her anything, tell her your worries and feel better for it."

The funeral will be held at Kingsdown Crematorium on Friday, January 30, at 2pm. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Swindon Cancer Appeal.