SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: Adults, children, and even dogs are getting involved in the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

Next week marks the start of the seven-day Macmile event and this group of Wroughton residents cannot wait to get started.

June Jones, 55, scheme manager at Harry Garrett Court, said: "Most of our residents here will be joining in the fun in one way or another.

"We have so many things going on from sponsored bike rides, to cake sales, a raffle and a coffee morning.

"I'm organising it all so I'll be too busy to get on a bike that's my excuse anyway!

"There will be a lot of children taking part, including my granddaughters Roann, nine, and Rebecca, seven. It should be a great success."

The fun day will be held on Saturday May 24, from 10.30am.

Bert Needham, 77, has lived at the sheltered housing complex for 12 years and said he might do some cycling although he suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.

Bert, a former caretaker, said: "If I can't manage the riding I'm going to travel around the building in my electric wheelchair.

"I want to be involved. I'll keep going until the battery runs out. I'll probably get dizzy."

Estate manager Steve Bell, 43, will be cycling for Macmillan in memory of his wife, Sharron, who died from bowel cancer two-and-a-half years ago.

He said: "Sharron died two weeks after her 40th birthday. She had been in Prospect Hospice for her last six months and the Macmillan nurses were fantastic.

"There's nothing I wouldn't do to help them now."

Steve is planning to cycle from Wroughton through Marlbor-ough and along to Avebury and back again.

The Macmillan Miles Chall-enge runs nationally from May 18 until May 25 and it is still not too late to take part.

Penny Blake, 39, is even getting her pooch involved in fundraising as she prepares for a dog show in Marlborough Road's Polo Ground from 10am on May 26.

She said: "I was organising the dog show when something came through the post about Macmile and I thought we have got a captive audience, let's use it."

Call the Appeal office in Milton Road for a fundraising pack on Swindon 601636 or 601637, or email miles@mktpoint.com. To make a donation to the appeal online, click here.

Tell us about your fundraising event, click here.