FORMER mayor Ray Sanderson has donated around £14,000 to cancer research charities after pledging to raise the cash after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.

Mr Sanderson, who was Malmesbury mayor in 1987, said he was touched by the support he has received in raising the money.

His wife, mother-of-three Margaret, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2000, and following initial treatment will have to take special drugs for the next five years.

"It is down to the help of so many people that I have been able to raise this money," said Mr Sanderson, who lives at Michael Pyms Road, and is chairman of the Rotary Club of the South Cotswolds.

On Monday he presented the final sum, a cheque for £4,500, to Shirley Garman of Breakthrough Breast Cancer's Swindon branch.

Most of the money was raised by the club's horseless team event at Church Farm, Long Newnton, in September. A further £700, raised through a race night between the club and the Rotary Club of Mill Hill, in London, was also presented.

In addition the Rotary Club has given £2,750 to the children's charity, WhizzKidz, £897 to Cheltenham Oncology Unit, and £500 to Bath RUH's oncology unit.