Brighter Futures is saying thanks a million to all its fundraisers, supporters and volunteers as the charity reaches the magic £1 million mark for its Radiotherapy Appeal.
A special event on Thursday 20 October, hosted by the Mayor of Swindon Eric Shaw, will be a chance to recognise the efforts of local people and to receive three substantial donations, which will tip the appeal total into seven figures.
The Dr Thomas Cranston Wilson Charitable Trust will be presenting a cheque for another £50,000 – the second part of a £100,000 gift – while Rotary Clubs from Swindon, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett will be donating £48,500.
Swindon Rotarian Tony Long will be making a personal gift of £20,000 to the Radiotherapy Appeal.
During the evening, talks will be given by Roger Hill, Chairman of Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Rotarian Howard Small and Dr Claire Blesing, Radiotherapy Head of Service and Clinical Director of Oncology and Haematology at the Oxford Cancer Centre.
Jennifer Green, Head of Fundraising for Brighter Futures, said: “We’re so thrilled to have reached the £1 million mark and we continue to be amazed and humbled by the efforts and generosity of local people to help us reach our goal.
“Every penny raised is a step closer to bringing vital cancer treatment closer to home for families in Swindon and Wiltshire for generations to come.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped the appeal so far. However, we can’t stop now and we are already focusing on how we reach the next £1 million in our £2.9 million total.”
All money raised for the Radiotherapy Appeal will go towards the £2.9 million needed to fund specialist equipment that will be at the heart of a new Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust radiotherapy unit on the Great Western Hospital site.
Cancer patients in Swindon and Wiltshire currently face weeks of daily visits to and from the nearest radiotherapy centre in Oxford for treatment.
Find out how you can help the appeal at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk
