BRIGHT balloons flew into the sky yesterday to launch the new Great Western Hospital radiotherapy centre appeal.

The 284 pink and orange balloons, symbolising every person diagnosed with cancer each month at Great Western Hospital, were launched into the air by friends of the hospital, medical staff and MP for North Swindon Justin Tomlinson.

Great Western Hospital hospital hopes to raise £2.9m million in the two-year appeal to pay for a dedicated radiotherapy centre. Brighter Futures, the fundraising arm of the Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust officially launched the bid, which could see long journeys for radiotherapy become a thing of the past.

Last year, 700 patients were forced to make daily 70-mile round trips to Oxford’s Churchill Hospital, with the average treatment time taking between four and seven weeks. An average of 3000 people are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year at the hospital.

GWH Trust medical director Dr Guy Rooney said: “Think of how many people are driving every day to get lifesaving treatment. We have even heard sadly that people are giving up on treatment because they cannot do the drive. This new centre can change everything.

“Bringing this centre to Swindon will change the lives of the patients who are diagnosed with cancer. They will be able to come to a place they are familiar with and have the best care provided for them on their doorstep.”

Jen Green, Brighter Future’s head of fundraising, added: “It’s been fantastic here today and we can see the difference the centre will make to peoples’ lives.

“We have many fundraising events planned too so we would love for people to come to support us.”

A a social media campaign has been set up by the hospital using the hashtag #TheTimeIsNow, urging people to take selfies with either a clock or a watch to post online.

The hashtag has been chosen as Great Western Hospitals Foundation NHS Trust believes the time is now to bring radiotherapy to Swindon.

An appeal video fronted by comedian Rory Bremner has also gone live on Brighter Future’s website. Visit www.gwh.nhs.uk/support-us/about-brighter-futures