Ref. 25720-85SWINDON CARES: OFFICE workers being covered in custard, children stuffing their faces with spaghetti and a headteacher having his legs waxed helped a new fundraising drive surpass its target of raising £10,000 for three local charities.

The first Swindon Cares week has just come to an end and schools, businesses and individuals across the town have so far raised £11,965. The final total will be more as cash is still being collected.

Swindon Cares is co-ordinated by Nationwide, Zurich Financial Services, the Evening Advertiser, GWR Community Trust, BBC Radio Swindon, the Rotary Club of Swindon, Swindon Council and Swindon Chamber of Commerce.

Next year, organisers hope the event will be even bigger and better with plans to resurrect the Swindon half marathon.

The initiative's patron Lord Joffe, the co-founder of Hambro Life, which eventually became Zurich Financial Services, said he hoped the scheme would go on for many years to come. He said: "I think Swindon Cares is an excellent initiative. I think it could be the start of something which is going to develop into the culture of the town and become a very important part of the calendar each year to the enormous benefit of the community as a whole.

"The fact that in the first year it has exceeded its target is really remarkable. Everyone needs to be very proud of themselves and needs to be warmly congratulated."

The Swiss Chalet in Gorse Hill had a fun-filled week of events in aid of Swindon Cares culminating in a children's spaghetti-eating competition.

Regulars at the pub were entertained with quiz night, Bull'seye evening and an early celebration of Christmas and New Year.

Staff at Nationwide organised an exhaustive list of activities, including treasure hunts, table football contests, cake sales and sponsored walks, which raised £2,000.

One of the more unusual stunts was a custard challenge.

Four workers from the legal compliance department Lisa Armitt, Claire Dennison, Derek Snape and John Hancock volunteered to wear fancy dress and allow their colleagues to vote on who would get gunged by the custard.

In the end, they all became victims and were covered in the sweet stuff.

Lisa said: "We had 100 people watching and cheering us on. It was worth it in the end because it was for a good cause."

Michelle Leighton, the company's community affairs manager, said: "Nationwide has been delighted to be involved with Swindon Cares. It has been fantastic to see this community pull together for the benefit of the people who live, work and play here.

"We are looking forward to enhancing the scheme further next year and raising even more for worthy causes."

Another prominent Swindon company, Zurich, raised around £1,000 through a mufti day and raffles. Pam Webb, manager of Zurich Cares, the employees' community programme, said: "Most of the departments got behind Swindon Cares. Around 3,000 employees took part in a dedicated Swindon Cares day on Friday. People in the company are used to fundraising but it is unusual they did it all on the same day." Steve Flavin, head of Churchfields School in Walcot, surprised pupils by having one of his legs waxed. He was joined by caretaker Dave Lewis and gardener Steve Howcroft. More than 100 pupils each paid up to £1 to see the three undergo the tortuous beauty treatment. Mr Flavin said: "It was very painful, and I will now have to get the other leg done so that I don't look too out of place this summer.

The Rotary Club of Swindon held a fun evening that raised more than £600 for Swindon Cares. Members enjoyed a variety of games, bingo, skittles and a guess the baby competition as well as a drinks reception.

www.swindoncares.co.uk