Brian Hunt, who told how his wife Mavis dealt with the double blow of ovarian and bowel cancer, said Macmillan nurses helped him get through the traumatic time.

Brian, 62, a retired quality control inspector, said: "It is great news that so many people are taking the appeal seriously.

"It has become a popular charity to support and I'm pleased it is going so well."

Brian remembers sitting next to a 10-year-old Mavis at College Street School in Swindon. "She hated me at first because I was always getting her into trouble," he said.

The couple married when they were both 20 and have a son, Neil, who is in his mid-30s.

Brian said: "Mavis remained conscious right up until the day she died. Throughout her illness she remained as chirpy as a bird. I think she was more worried about me."

Mavis died at home in Shrivenham Road on September 27, 2002, aged 61.

"Macmillan nurses were involved right from the start," Brian added. "We didn't even have to ask for their help, they offered.

"They are brilliant and we struck up friendships with them. I'm sure without their help we would have taken Mavis' illness much harder."

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