AFTER another glorious fundraising effort featuring events and charity challenges, the 160 Appeal has reached the £130,000 milestone.

Thanks to the generosity of readers and dozens of daredevils who braved sandstorms, torrential rain, or overcame their fear of heights to secure much needed funds for Prospect Hospice, The Adver is edging ever closer to its £160,000 target.

Editor Gary Lawrence thanked donors for their generosity and commitment to the appeal since its launch, in February.

“I am lost for words and it does not happen very often,” he said. “We knew from the start that £160,000 was a very ambitious target and that without support from our readers we would not achieve it.

“But from the very beginning, the people of Swindon have rallied behind us and each month the fundraising total has risen.

“It has certainly helped our readers to see the Adver team taking the lead by signing up to challenges and holding their own curry nights, quizzes and regular collections.

“Their commitment has been exemplary and has inspired others in the community to help Prospect in any way they could.

“We look forward to seeing what the public has in store for the hospice over the next month.

“We are confident that, with your help, we will achieve our £160,000 target. And we may even surpass it.”

Prospect Hospice chief executive, Angela Jordan, said: “We are very grateful that the Swindon Advertiser’s 160 appeal has reached this important milestone, and on behalf of the patients, volunteers and staff at Prospect Hospice I want to thank the Swindon Advertiser and its readers for their generous support.”

Among the stars who propelled the target to £130,000 was Al Sylvester.

The father-of-one raised no fewer than £24,000 in memory of his best friend Dean Singleton on his solo 900-mile Walk to Freedom from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

The 49-year-old former RAF mountaineer, from Faringdon, said: “I never realised that hospices were not paid for by the national health service before I went up to Prospect to see Dean.

“I wanted to raise money for Prospect and raise the profile of hospices in the UK.

“The way he was looked after by Prospect was phenomenal. The service and attention to detail, the love and compassion not just for Dean but all his family was fantastic.

“They let him die with dignity. These people are absolute heroes.

“I hope this wee walk has opened people’s eyes to the work hospices do.”

Swindon Advertiser: Swindon's 160 greatest headline makers...part 1 Click here for more on the 160 Appeal

Meanwhile, Hannah Soutar and Dani Moreton also went above and beyond for the appeal, braving 44 degree heat and a sandstorm to complete a trek of the Sahara desert for the hospice.

They nearly doubled their initial target raising £7,000 instead of the expected £4,000.

And yesterday, a number of volunteers literally walked over hot coals to add money to the total.

The Fire and Glass Walk, at Alexandra House, Wroughton, saw fearless fundraisers take on the challenge for the hospice.

For more details on the appeal, visit www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/prospect_appeal.