Picture Ref: 78715-3A CANCER charity has launched a new wristband to help raise funds.

The green wristbands are on sale in Nationwide branches across the country, and also in various shops in the Outlet Village.

Those on sale in Nationwide, including in Regent Street and The Parade in Swindon, will raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Relief's work across the country.

Nationwide is one of Macmillan Cancer Relief's biggest corporate sponsors and has raised about £5m so far.

Those sold at the Outlet centre will raise money directly for the Swindon Cancer Appeal, which is raising £1m for the people of Swindon.

Graziella Campisano, Macmillan fundraising manager, said: "I had 500 to sell and two-thirds have gone already.

"They have just been flying off the shelves."

All money raised from the sales will go towards the Adver-backed Swindon Cancer Appeal, which has raised more than £750,000 since being launched in 2003.

The appeal aims to provide a training post for a Macmillan specialist breast care cancer nurse and a training post for another nurse specialising in gastrointestinal cancers.

The money will also help to provide a Macmillan clinical psychologist who will specialise in cancer and palliative care. Cash will also go into patient grants to help those whose income has suffered as a result of cancer.

For more information about the Swindon Cancer Appeal call the appeal office on 01793 432252 or 01793 432253.

"The response has been fantastic, and you can tell by how fast the wristbands have been selling," said Graziella.

"Everybody knows someone who has died of cancer that's why people seem so determined to support the Swindon Cancer Appeal."

The green wristbands, which carry the slogan 'for people living with cancer', are available from the Outlet Village for £1.

The original target for the appeal was £600,000 but it was revised upwards after the initial success.

Stephanie Tye