SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: The Swindon Cancer Appeal has today topped the magical £100,000 mark - and it's all thanks to you.

The Evening Advertiser launched the appeal to help Macmillan nurses just two months ago and now we are well on the way to reaching the target of £600,000.

The success of the appeal so far proves that Swindon and its organisations have lost none of their dedication to raising money for good causes.

Townsfolk young and old have taken our appeal to heart. Throughout the last few weeks people in Swindon and Marlborough have been busying themselves with all sorts of weird and wonderful events to fill the appeal's coffers.

We have seen sponsored walks, runs, cycles, climbs, discos, dances and swims.

Others have dressed up and down, baked cakes, brewed tea, ground coffee and played the odd Victorian organ.

Meanwhile dozens of Macmillan collection boxes are generously being filled in shops and businesses across the town.

Appeal manager Graziella Campisano said: "I am just astounded at how much has been raised in such a short time. The appeal office is so busy every day but we are glad we are kept busy because that means the money just keeps coming in.

"As long as we keep going I know we will make the target of £600,000 who would have thought we would be a sixth of the way there so soon.

"I want to pass my sincere thanks on to everybody. You are all helping people living with cancer today."

Macmillan nurse Vanessa Davey has touched the lives of more than 500 cancer patients and their families in Swindon, which is why we chose her to be the face of our campaign.

Vanessa, who is the clinical nurse specialist in palliative care at the Great Western Hospital, said: "It's such fantastic news that £100,000 has been reached already. It has been raised so quickly so it shows that so many people are getting behind the appeal. Thanks to everyone who is working so hard to reach the target."

Adver editor Simon O'Neill said: "To have reached this milestone in such a short space of time is both surprising and immensely satisfying.

"Nationwide Building Society started the ball rolling with a sizeable donation of £80,000, but to have raised £20,000 in just two months shows that the people of Swindon have taken this appeal to their hearts, as they do with virtually every worthy cause put before them.

"It's important to remember too that many of the events planned to raise money for the appeal haven't taken place yet, so the rate of donations is likely to increase in the coming months.

"There's a long way to go to hit the target, but we couldn't have asked for a better start. I would like to thank everybody who has contributed thus far and urge companies, groups and individuals to think of the appeal when they are considering any fundraising initiative."

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

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.