Ref. 28273-50SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: SHOPPERS at the Great Western Outlet Village can help improve cancer care in Swindon simply by parking their cars there this weekend.

McArthurGlen, which runs the centre, is donating all the money from car parking charges during this weekend's clearance sale to the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

It is hoped that around £3,500 will be raised as shoppers flock to take advantage of the sale on Saturday and Sunday.

There are almost 2,000 spaces at the centre, and they are filled several times a day.

Franco Muccini, manager of the centre, which has 95 shops, said: "We want to give the charity a Christmas boost, so we've picked one of our busiest weekends.

"Our winter clearance is one of our most popular times, and we're sure that shoppers will help give Macmillan a cracking Christmas donation."

The offer of car parking money is the latest effort by McArthurGlen for the appeal.

In September, staff supported the World's Biggest Coffee Morning. And currently lighting up the south mall is the appeal's Tree of Thought. Hundreds of people sponsored lights on the tree in memory of relatives who cannot be with them for Christmas.

Fundraisers are currently running a gift wrapping service for shoppers. Members of the Macmillan Cancer Relief Swindon committee are running the service near the food court between 10am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.

The outlet village has donated all wrapping paper. Graziella Campisano, Macmillan appeal manager for Swindon said: "The car park donation is a great way for us to complete year's fundraising with McArthurGlen."

So far, the appeal to provide two Macmillan nurses and a cancer care consultant for Swindon, has raised £205,150.

The target is to raise £600,000 by 2006.

To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.