SWINDON is rising to the challenge of raising £1 million to help beat cancer.

In just over two weeks, £8,784.83 has rolled into the Swindon Cancer Appeal account proof that Advertiser readers are keen as ever to keep the ball rolling.

Our original aim was to raise £600,000 in three years to fund two Macmillan nurses at the Great Western Hospital and a consultant at the hospital and Prospect Hospice in Wroughton.

But earlier this month that figure was smashed more than a year ahead of schedule.

As a result, we upped the stakes and extended the total to £1 million. Although a tall order, we are confident your generosity will prevail. And already we're off to a flying start. One generous donor, who wished to remain anonymous, waded in with a £2,000 cheque.

St Joseph's School also came up trumps with a £200 donation.

The extra £400,000 will be used to pay for two more nurses, easing pressure on dedicated medical staff and increasing chances of survival for ordinary Swindon folk.

We also plan to pay the wages of a Macmillan clinical psychologist in cancer and palliative care.

Although each will have different specialist subjects, all three will have similar roles making contact with cancer patients, listening, understanding and addressing the emotions they may be feeling.

Graziella Campisano, appeal manager, thinks it's a matter of when not if we reach the new target.

She said: "The response has been fantastic. The fact that we've raised so much in a fortnight shows that people are still passionate about the appeal.

"We are confident we will reach £1 million it will be a joy."

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

Latest donations

(£260) sponsored abseils

(£144) New Temple Lodge

(£79.62) Great Western Hospital

(£1895.46) Greenbridge Retail and Leisure Park

(£2,500) Nationwide Fun Runs and Half Marathon

(£99.20) Science Research Council

(£216.55) collection boxes

(£1,022) Wilson Tools

(£200) St Joseph's School

(£2,000) Anonymous

(£150) Advertiser coupons

(£218) Barry Key Gliderthon

Kevin Shoesmith