JUNE 13: A NEW fundraising campaign has named three local dignitaries to head the initiative.
Swindon Cares is an umbrella organisation aiming to raise a minimum of £10, 000 for three local charities Age Concern, the NSPCC and the Evening Advertiser's Macmillan Cancer Appeal.
Today, it announced Lord Joel Joffe as its patron, James Arkell, managing director of Arkell's brewery, as chairman of the committee, and Bill Fishlock, chairman of Wroughton's Prospect Hospice, as vice chairman.
Swindon Cares is supported by Nationwide, Zurich, GWR Community Trust, the Rotary Club of Swindon, Swindon Council, the Swindon Chamber and the Evening Advertiser.
The partnership aims to involve as many people as possible in fundraising activities during Swindon Cares week, which takes place between July 12 and 19.
Schools, community groups, companies and individuals have been invited to a launch event on Friday, June 20 to find out more about how to get involved.
Lord Joffe, who lives at Liddington Manor, said: "I am very pleased to be on board and I am sure Swindon Cares is going to be a great success.
"It is a very important initiative. Swindon is such a generous community that I hope we will raise a substantial amount of money for the town.
"It is really positive and productive to see different organisations working together."
Chairman James ArkellMr Arkell said: "I am very pleased to have been made chairman of Swindon Cares, it is good that Swindon is getting together for the collective good to raise money for charity.
"Swindon has some superb charities and I am sure that the charities chosen all touch the people of Swindon in some way and I am sure they will come out to support us."
Mr Fishlock said: "Swindon Cares is an organisation that over the next couple of years could make a real difference to some of the local charities we have in Swindon.
"I have been particularly impressed by the Macmillan appeal which is one of the charities Swindon Cares is supporting.
"Of course it is something I am keen to support as the chairman of a hospice which cares for people with life limiting illnesses."
The Swindon Cares committee is holding a launch event in the Winners' Lounge of the Swindon Town Football club on June 20 between noon and 2pm. If you would like to attend the event, contact Pam Webb at Zurich Financial Services on 502450 or email Pam.Webb@uk.zurich.com
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