BREAST cancer patients could receive revolutionary radiotherapy treatment early next year after the Great Western Hospital reached its fundraising target.

Brighter Futures – the GWH NHS Foundation Trust’s charitable arm, which helps to fund new treatments not yet available through the NHS, has been trying to raise £75,000 to pay for a year’s worth of intra-operative radiotherapy treatment since March.

Yesterday staff at the hospital announced that they had managed to raise the amount thanks to the generosity of those who had contributed to the appeal.

It mean about 150 women could receive the pioneering new treatment next year.

Nathan Coombs, the consultant breast surgeon leading the project at the GWH, said: “The last months have seen a huge number of patients, friends, family and staff supporting the Great Western Hospital’s Brighter Futures Appeal.

“I’ve been absolutely amazed by the generosity of people in the giving of donations and time to support the work of the Breast Centre in Swindon.

“It is only because of all of their generosity that we can now offer a truly 21st century treatment for our patients with breast cancer. Words can’t express our thanks enough to all that have made this appeal a success. I look forward to using this new equipment to treat our breast cancer patients.”

During the course of the year members of the public have taken part in numerous fundraising events to help towards the target, including a handbag amnesty event last month which raised £2,500, a reunion party of the Route 66 Club which raised £2,000, a sponsored walk which raised more than £3,600, and the 5km Reindeer Run which took place last weekend.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s director of finance and performance, Maria Moore, single handedly raised more than £9,000 when she trekked through the Atlas Mountains.

And cyclist Gerald Page rode from Taunton to Swindon and raised £9,000.

Another team of 12 travelled 338 miles between London, Amsterdam and Brussels.

There were also many smaller events, including zumba classes, pamper evenings, skydives, concerts, cake sales, ice-bucket challenges, bric-a-brac stalls, non-uniform days and car boot events which all helped pile up the pounds.

Jennifer Green, the head of fundraising for Brighter Futures, said: “We’re delighted we’ve been able to raise the money. Originally the project was going to cost £150,000, so what we did is provide half the money up front and said we would try and raise the remaining £75,000 during the course of the year.

“Obviously anything that comes into the appeal form now will just mean that moe of the whole project is paid for by community contribution.

“The generosity of people has been fantastic. I think because it’s about breast cancer it is something that has affected everyone one way or another, or know someone who has been affected by it, it’s been something people were really supportive of.

“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported the appeal and I just hope that they will continue to support us with new projects next year.”

What is it?

Intra-operative radiotherapy is a pioneering new treatment which has been trialled at a number of hospitals and centres cross the country.

The treatment involves zapping the area affected by cancer with radiotherapy after the tumour is removed and while the patient is still on the operating table.

As a result, not only is the radiotherapy specifically targeted, reducing the risk of any side effects, but it could also cut recovery time.

With a dedicated facility in Swindon, it will also mean that patients will no longer have to make trips to radiotherapy centres in Bath and Oxford for only ten minutes of treatment.