SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: We know from the success of the Swindon Cancer Appeal how important supporters and volunteers are to the charity.

At the AGM, I joined 550 Macmillan supporters and volunteers at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, in London, to celebrate our achievements of 2002.

Introduced by Macmillan's new president, Lady Halifax, the day was a wonderful mixture of fundraising highlights and poignant stories.

We heard from Jamie Dundas, Macmillan's chairman, that in 2002 we raised £74.2 million across the UK an increase of nearly eight per cent on 2001.

Throughout the meeting, we were told about some of the ways this money was raised, and how it was being spent.

In 2002, 305 new Macmillan professionals were appointed, bringing the total number to 2,810 across the UK.

But we are still able to help only around one in five people with cancer, so there is still enormous need. But Macmillan is meeting this challenge in different and imaginative ways.

We pride ourselves on looking after the whole person, not just the illness, and this means that Macmillan support is not always given through the NHS setting.

People are arranged to help with shopping, paying bills, housework or having care at night. A Macmillan hour is time that lets the client do something that means a lot to them.

We know from the response to the Swindon Cancer Appeal that Macmillan's volunteer fundraisers are the backbone of the charity with weird and wacky events.

I can think of several ideas from Swindon that would fit in well sitting in a bath of custard springs to mind!

The end of the day provided a welcome surprise a performance by MacVoices.

This small group, consisting entirely of Macmillan staff, provided an accomplished, entertaining and uplifting end to a wonderful day of celebration and thanks, for all that Macmillan's volunteers supporters do for the charity and, ultimately, for the benefit of people living with cancer.

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

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.