SWINDON CANCER APPEAL: EMPLOYEES across Swindon are being urged to wear hats to work and raise money for Macmillian Cancer Relief.

The Week Of Hats, from June 26 to July 4, is part of a national campaign and local people are being invited to take part.

They can either wear a hat to work or hold a garden party and invite guests to sport fetching headgear.

Hat shops across the country are also being asked to donate a percentage of sales.

Graziella Campisano, the appeals manager for Macmillan Cancer Relief in Swindon, said she hoped there would be a good take-up.

Anyone who wants an information pack can call 0207 8404647.

On Friday, June 25, Macmillan's sell-out fashion show, My Fair Lady, in aid of the Swindon Cancer Appeal, will be presented at The Wrag Barn Golf and Country Club in Highworth, with milliner Sheila Parsons and fashion expert Heidi Hadfield.

And members of Macmillan Cancer Relief's Marlborough committee are planning a tea party extravaganza on Saturday.

Paddy and John Marsh are preparing their garden at Og-Vue, in Poulton Hill.

Former nurse Paddy, 75, said: "We hold the party every summer and it's always a popular event.

"The appeal is such a worthwhile cause and whenever we hold collections we get a wonderful response from people."

The event starts at 2.30pm costs £4, which includes a cream tea with strawberries, sandwiches and cakes.

Next month speed demons will have the chance to burn rubber at the Hullavington Ministry of Defence Airfield.

The 2.4-miles of Tarmac incorporates an exciting mix of fast, slow, long and tight corners, together with extended straights, giving all types of car and driver a challenge.

Motorsports Event is organising the fundraiser on July 9.

Last year it raised more than £4,000. There will be cars including Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Noble, BMW and Audi.

Natasha Burdett, 28, the company's events co-ordinator, said: "Our managing director, Ed Moore, is one of only a handful of performance driving instructors for Aston Martin and teaches guests in a DB7 and Vanquish.

"In 2002 Ed taught both Hugh Grant and Pierce Brosnan the art of performance driving."

It costs £99 to drive your own car for as many laps as you want during the event, which runs from 9am to 5pm.

Passengers pay £10 for a ride, which goes to the appeal, as does £10 crash helmet hire.

For those who want to leave their cars on the sidelines and try out something a more racy, a £20 donation will get you a spin in a Porsche or Noble.

Hullavington is situated two miles off Junction 17 of the M4 near Chippenham.

Call Natasha on 0870 7872116, email enquiries@motorsport-events.com or visit www. motorsport-events.co.uk

So far the appeal has raised £379,079. It was set up last March to raise £600,000 for Macmillan nurses.

Dates for your diary

June 25: Swindon Macmillan Committee hat show. Contact Gillian Thornton on 01367 252535

June 26 July 4: Week Of Hats. Wear a hat to work and raise cash for the appeal. Call appeal manager Graziella Campisano on 01793 601636

June 26 : Cream tea party, Poulton Hill, Marlborough. Contact Vanessa Hillier on 01672 515958.

July 4: Moroccan lunch at Westcourt Bottom, Burbage

July 9: Chance to drive high performance cars at Hullavington airfield. Contact 0870 7872116

July 10: Marlborough street collection during the jazz festival. Contact 01672 515958

July 10: Castle Coombe car rally. Contact Andy Parmenter on 01454 854366

July 11: Swindon Cares High Sheriff's concert at Christ Church, Old Town, 7pm. Contact Eric Walker on 01793 692903

July 15: Royal Military College of Science, in Shrivenham, fireworks party

July 25: Marlborough running club organises 190-mile coast-to-coast challenge

August 8: Kentwood Choir concert at the Hilton Hotel.

For more information on any of the events call the appeal office, in Milton Road, Swindon, on 01793 601636.

Alex Emery