Ref. 28451-22ROTARIANS from Old Town are planning to support Macmillan nurses in the New Year in memory of a former president who died of cancer this year.

During 2003 the Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town raised a total of £8,000 and hope to hit the £10,000 target next year.

Each year the president decides which charities will be the main recipients of fundraising cash.

For 2004, new president Mike Dunn has chosen to support Macmillan nurses in memory of past president Nobby Clarke who died of bowel cancer in July, aged 60.

Mr Dunn said: "Nobby was a popular founder member of our club.

"We thought it was timely to focus our attention now on a personal issue.

"Nobby was cared for by Macmillan nurses."

Mr Clarke was president of the club seven years ago and the 35-strong club has gone from strength to strength.

The club will donate money to Macmillan Nurses.

The Evening Advertiser is backing Macmillan through the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

The appeal will pay for two full-time nurses and a consultant in palliative care for three years, after which time the NHS will fund the posts.

It aims to raise £600,000 by 2006 and has already passed the £200,000 mark.

Mr Dunn said: "The Adver-tiser's appeal, coupled with the fact we have lost a good friend to cancer, made us think of Macmillan."

Earlier this month former president John Wren presented a £4,500 cheque to senior nurse Maggie Jordan for the Great Western Hospital's Evolution Appeal.

The money was used to fund three pulse oximeters for the children's ward.

Mr Wren said: "The Evolution Appeal advised me that the children's department urgently needed oxygen saturation monitors for children with heart and circulation problems.

"I would like to thank all the Rotary members of Swindon Old Town who helped to raise this fantastic amount and make such a difference to local children."

A variety of fundraising events took place throughout 2003.

The money generated for the Evolution Appeal was a result of the Rotary Club's annual duck race, which is held in May each year at Westcott Recreation Ground, Wootton Bassett Road.

The Evolution Appeal was launched in September 2001 and aimed to raise £5m for new equipment and staff at GWH in time for its opening in November 2002.

The Rotary Club has several fundraising events planned throughout next year, the most extravagant being the Sporting Club Dinner at Blunsdon House Hotel on Tuesday March 16.

There is also a charity golf day on June 2.

For more information on any of the events call David Jackson on 01793 845846.

The club meets for breakfast at The Kings Arms in Wood Street on Wednesdays at 7.30am.

Emma-Kate Lidbury