SINGING baker Giovanni Campanella, who was diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago, has raised more than £2,500 for charity before a concert tomorrow evening (March 30) even begins.

Mr Campanella, who runs Dolcipani Italian bakery and coffee shop in Devizes and was diagnosed with lung cancer nearly two years ago, has joined forces with Devizes Rotary Club to collect money for the Brighter Futures Appeal at Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Mr Campanella and Vincenzo Bua will perform from 7.30pm to 9pm at the coffee shop in Old Swan Yard in a concert called Singing For Life to raise money for a new radiotherapy centre in Swindon.

The tickets were sold through a draw with people pledging cash for the charity. Mr Campanella said: "We are delighted to have raised so much already but people can of course continue to donate via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DevizesRotary1

"I was diagnosed with stage three lung cancer in April 2015, and without the care and support of the Great Western Hospital I wouldn’t be here today.

"It’s my small way of thanking them for everything they’ve done for me and everyone like me. I’ve been playing guitar for fifty years, so I’m excited about the concert."

Devizes Rotary Club president Cliff Evans said: "It’s a privilege for the Rotary Club of Devizes to have been invited by Giovanni to help organise the event, and thereby raise much needed money for the GWH Radiotherapy Appeal, which currently stands at £1.3m of a £2.9m target."