SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Ref. 25640-2Playing non-stop golf for 16 hours would pose a challenge for even the most ardent sports fan.

But this trio of golfers did just that to raise money for the Swin-don Cancer Appeal.

Phil Ward, Mark Thomas and David Holmes teed off the marathon session at Shriven-ham Park Golf Club, at 4.45am on Friday and finished the first round by 8.30am.

Golf mad Phil, 38, of Stratton St Margaret, said: "We all enjoy golf and we thought Macmillan was a really good cause.

"Everybody knows someone who has had cancer.

"It was a very enjoyable experience although at the end we were all completely shattered and our golf scores per round closely reflected our increasing tiredness.

"We would like to thank Shrivenham Park Golf Club who looked after us wonderfully and gave us lunch and a beer."

Phil organised the event as part of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Longest Day fundraising drive, which finished this week.

The father-of-three, who works as a computer programmer at Arval PHH fleet management in Swindon, added that the event had raised £1,000.

Meanwhile a charity garden party held at the weekend has brought in more than £330 for the appeal.

Valerie Nix held the get together at her home in Wardour Close, Lawn.

She said: "We have a lovely garden which we like to share. It's a nice way to raise funds for charity, particularly when the weather is good."

The Swindon Cancer Appeal was launched in March to raise £600,000 in three years for Macmillan Cancer Relief. So far the appeal has raised £130,370.

The money will pay for two Macmillan nurses and a cancer care specialist for Swindon.

Anyone who wishes to send late sponsorship to Phil, Mark or David should call 01793 895774.

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

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.