CARING people in the town are gathering at Christ Church on Saturday for this year’s Swindon Cares concert.

It is the 12th year that the High Sheriff of Wiltshire’s Charity Concert has taken place, with more than 250 tickets already sold for the event.

Money raised at the ball will go directly towards supporting local people making use of the services offered by the Alzheimer’s Society and the Swindon Carers Centre.

Nicky Albery, founder of the High Sheriff’s concert, said: “These charities do an enormous amount of work supporting people in the town and it is important that we support them to do this.

“It’s just a way that we can give back to the community.”

To date Swindon Cares has raised more than £201,000 for charitable, community and voluntary organisations around the town, and this year’s concert is expected to raise more than £6,000.

Nicky said: “It’s brilliant that we’ve managed to raise this much.

“We wouldnt have done it without the support of the public.”

As well as the High Sheriff, Peter Addington, the Lord Lieutenant Sarah Rose Troughton and other dignitaries will be in attendance.

The evening will also be recorded by the BBC and guest presenter Ben Prater from the BBC Wiltshire Breakfast Show will be in attendance.

There have already been several fundraisers taking place this year to help raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Swindon Carers Centre.

Nicky said: “We have already held our annual Scrabble tournament and this year a number of Swindon primary schools raised money for us by taking part in a Caring Day on Valentines Day.

“We also have planned a number of fundraising events over the coming months, including a Corporate Golf day at Ogbourne Downs Golf Club on July 23, our Inter Company Quiz, a football competition, and more ideas are being developed.”

Swindon Cares started in 2003 and is currently comprised of a voluntary committee from the Swindon Advertiser, the Rotary Clubs in Swindon, GWE Business West, Arval, Zurich, Bluefin, BBC Wiltshire, Swindon Council, The Pear Tree at Purton, De Vere Venues and Arkells Brewery.

There is still time to buy tickets to the concert, which cost £6 for the concert only, or £15 to include a light buffet and wine reception following the performance.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and will go free.

Tickets are available from the parish office in the Christ Church Community Centre or from the Central Library or the Visitor Information office.

For more information call 01793 522832 or visit www.swindoncares.co.uk.