THE drive to secure a radiotherapy unit for Swindon has been given a huge boost after the fundraising effort moved past the halfway mark.

The team overseeing the Brighter Futures appeal has said a big thank you to everyone who has helped to raise more than £1.5m so far as it refocuses and looks towards the final £2.9m target.

The new state-of-the-art radiotherapy unit will be built on the Great Western Hospital site and will be run by an expert team from the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Cancer patients in Swindon and Wiltshire currently face hours on the road each day as they commute to Oxford for daily treatment visits. The long journeys add stress and pressure at what is already an emotionally challenging time.

The appeal reached the half way stage just in time for the arrival of Catherine Newman, the new head of fundraising for Brighter Futures.

The important role sees Catherine return to her home town after a career in fundraising spanning 18 years that has taken her from Oxfam to the National Trust, a busy London hospital, Guide Dogs and beyond.

Catherine said: “I’m really excited to be joining Brighter Futures at this very significant milestone for the radiotherapy appeal.

“The level of support the public has given to this appeal so far has been amazing and I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has helped us get to the halfway stage.

“Every penny you raise will help us bring cancer treatment closer to the people of Swindon and Wiltshire, so please don’t stop now and help us to reach our £2.9m target.”

The appeal has received a wealth of support from local businesses and organisations such as the Swindon Advertiser, Rotary Clubs, Stratton Sainsbury’s and Swindon Will Writing, among many others.

“It has really been about the local community getting behind it.

“It feels like the fundraising team is much bigger than it is because we’ve got the whole town behind us.

“We’ve made an incredible start and we’re all really motivated to keep going.”

Find out how you can help the Radiotherapy Appeal at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk