SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Golf fan and cancer patient John Hughes is donating £4,600 the biggest individual pay out yet to the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

GOLF enthusiast John Hughes today handed over an incredible £4,600 to our Swindon Cancer Appeal after fighting his own battle against the disease.

The donation is the largest yet received from an individual supporter, and has delighted fundraisers at Macmillan.

The businessman raised the cash by organising a series of fundraising golf days.

A father-of-two, John, from Marlborough Road, Old Town, decided to donate the money to our appeal because he has recently received the help of Macmillan nurses.

The 57-year-old, who imports Christmas decorations for a living, recently underwent major surgery to remove a cancerous tonsil.

He was diagnosed with cancer in January, but is now making steady progress.

The tonsil, and part of the lining of his throat, was removed during a 13-hour operation at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford.

This was followed by six weeks of radiotherapy.

During his treatment, John, who is married to Velma, 57, said Macmillan nurses were extremely supportive.

He said: "They were wonderful. They gave me sensible and sensitive advice.

"They were so honest, and answered everything.

"Their help and support gave me a much more positive outlook."

The Swindon Cancer Appeal has now raised £110,295.

The target is to raise £600,000 in three years to provide two Macmillan nurses and a cancer care consultant for Swindon.

John, a member of the Wiltshire Golf Club in Wootton Bassett, started organising annual charity golf days five years ago.

He holds them for friends and business contacts on courses up and down the country.

The total raised over the last three years has been sitting in a bank account waiting until John found a suitable charity to support.

John, whose sons Richard, 30, and Jonathan, 32, both live in Swindon, said: "I decided to support the Macmillan appeal because it is for Swindon."

Graziella Campisano, appeal manager at Macmillan's Swindon office, was thrilled with the donation.

She said: "It is the biggest amount yet raised through an individual effort.

"We were overwhelmed by the amount. I couldn't believe it when I opened the envelope."

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

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