Ref. 30179-45MONTHS of fun and fundraising have helped net thousands of pounds for the appeal.

A percentage of the amount raised by runners in the Swindon Half Marathon was donated to the cause.

In October about 2,000 people gathered outside the Nationwide Building Society in Pipers Way for the start of the event.

The Swindon Old Town Rotary Club came up with a calendar of money-spinning ideas to reach the grand total of £10,000.

These included a golf competition, annual sporting dinner and curry feast.

Glider pilot Barry Key took fundraising to new heights.

Last month the 46-year-old, of Haydon Wick, raised more than £200 as part of a special Glide-a-thon held at the Cotswold Gliding Club at Aston Down airfield in Gloucestershire.

Mr Key, who works in Bristol for an electronics firm, and owns a glider and a light aircraft, raised the money by arranging a free flight for anyone who could guess how long he could keep his glider in the air on the next flight.

Earlier this year, four women jumped off a tall building in aid of the appeal.

Karen Wilson, Sue Bickerstaff, Donna Romain and Nickie Daly all braved a 100ft abseil from the top of the W H Smith building in Greenbridge.

Between them they raised around £1,500 in sponsorship and their employer, Thames Water, matched the amount they raised.

All the fundraising efforts organised since the appeal's launch have received widespread praise.

Anyone organising an event can get support and advice from Macmillan's Swindon office, which can be contacted on 01793 601636 or 01793 601637.