Ref. 25675-29MARCH 5: Getting naked, bathing in custard or having a leg wax ... these are just some of the ways Swindonians have shown they care. BHAVANI VADDE reports.

SPEED dating and a 25-mile bike ride are just some of the events planned for this year's Swindon Cares extravaganza.

The fundraising drive, backed by some of town's biggest businesses, was so successful in its first year that organisers want to do it all over again.

They are issuing an open invitation to the 2004 launch event at Swindon Town Football Club on Friday, March 12, so people can find out how to get involved.

Brewery boss James Arkell is chairman of the Swindon Cares committee.

He said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of Swindon Cares again. This year it will be bigger and better than ever and we hope more people will get involved now they know what it is all about."

His son George helped raise last year's £15,000 total by undertaking a sponsored parachute jump in tandem with a member of the Red Devils Display Team.

The cash was donated to Age Concern, Macmillan Cancer Relief and NSPCC Swindon.

This year a fourth charity the GWR Community Trust will also be a beneficiary. And the stakes have been upped as Swindon Cares aims to raise £30,000, trebling last year's target.

Once again, Nationwide, Zurich, GWR Community Trust, the Rotary Club of Swindon, Swindon Council, the Swindon Chamber, BBC Radio Swindon and the Evening Adver-tiser are backing the initiative.

The companies want to involve the whole community, including schools, supermarkets, clubs and businesses.

Last year, people organised all sorts of weird and wacky ways to support the cause during Swindon Cares week.

Steve Flavin, head of Church-fields School endured half the pain of what many women regularly inflict on themselves by having one leg waxed by a willing pupil.

Swindon Chamber chatterboxes Steph Trinci and Sam Jackson raised £500 through a sponsored silence. Cyclists toured 26 Arkell's pubs and Adver staff held a back-to-school day.

GWR presenters Howard Taylor and Heidi Humphries stripped off to present their show naked, while landlord of the Swiss Chalet pub, John Honeyman, dreamt up a host of activities that raised more than £2,200.

Children fought it out in a spaghetti eating competition while adults clashed in quiz nights and a darts contest. The week of fun culminated in early yuletide celebrations when customers enjoyed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the New Year all in one weekend.

John is thinking up fresh ideas for this year's Swindon Cares Week, which takes place between Sunday July 11 and Saturday July 17.

He would welcome any suggestions from customers and the public.

"Swindon Cares is great for getting the community involved," he said.

"All the charities are worthy causes so we'll be happy to be support it again. We should have more concrete plans in a couple of weeks' time."

Staff at Nationwide and Zurich organised an exhaustive list of activities.

One of the more unusual stunts was a sponsored custard challenge when four workers from Nation-wide's legal compliance department were dunked in the stuff.

Pam Webb from Zurich encouraged people to come along to the launch event.

She said: "Everyone can come along learn more about the events and more importantly learn about the organisations that are going to benefit and the great work they are doing in the community."

Swindon Cares has produced fundraising packs containing inspirational ideas as well as advice and moneymaking tips. These packs are being posted to businesses and schools and will also be available at the launch.

The launch event at Swindon Town Football Club on Friday March 12, kicks of at 12.30pm with Swindon Mayor Derek Benfield giving a speech at 1pm.

To attend the launch email hayley.millin@nationwide.co.uk

Bhavani Vadde