THE Great Western Hospital’s Brighter Futures team have spoken of their delight after the radiotherapy appeal hit the half way point.

So far, £1.5m has been raised to bring a radiotherapy unit to Swindon so cancer sufferers needn’t make the arduous journey to Oxford for treatment.

Members of the team were joined by fundraisers and volunteers in the lobby of the hospital yesterday to celebrate the achievement.

Chloe Thomas, the community and events fundraiser at Brighter Futures, said: “It feels real now and we are all very excited for the coming year.

“Reaching the half way point will make a real difference in terms of momentum going forward and it should be a really successful next 12 months.”

The event was also attended by Brighter Futures’ new head of fundraising Catherine Newman, who has been in the post less than a week.

She said: “It feels very special to be part of something that matters so much to the local community. It’s great to know that we are making this happen and that the finish line will soon be in sight.”

Jill Huby, 80, who last year did a sky dive for Brighter Futures, said: “It’s wonderful, I’m so pleased they have made it this far.”