A WOMAN who lost her cousin and a friend to cancer is staging a fundraising evening for the hospice they both spent their final hours in.

Natalie and Steve Hearn, who formed Prospect Hospice’s Swindon Town Centre Support Group last year, have held a number of fundraising events to help the Wroughton-based charity.

Their next event – a 1960s-themed evening – will take place on Friday at Swindon Town Football Club’s County Ground.

Natalie said: “We had a great time putting on the fundraising events last year, and after their success Steve and I both thought that there would be a lot of people who love 60s music who would love a night like this.

“It’s the night before Valentine’s Day too, so we are hopeful that romantic couples will celebrate a night early, and all for a very good cause.”

Natalie, of Faringdon Road, lost her second cousin, Tracey Toop, and one of her friends to the disease, and wanted to do her bit to support the charity.

She said: “I wanted to raise money for Prospect, because I have got friends and family that I have lost to cancer. Both of them stayed and were looked after by The Prospect when they died.

“They rely on donations to keep running, they don’t have any government funding or anything, so I just wanted to do something to help raise the money for them.”

The couple have already staged Bee Gees and Drifters nights in support of the hospice, and for their 60s Explosion night have booked ‘Young Girl’ chart-toppers Union Gap as the highlight of the evening’s entertainment.

There will also be a 60s disco, hot food and a fundraising raffle, with fancy dress harking back to the psychedelic, flower-power era optional, but encouraged.

Natalie said: “It isn’t a tribute band, it is the actual Union Gap, the actual 1960s band.

“We tracked them down and got in touch and they’re going to come along to play.

“The events we’ve already had were really good. The atmosphere was just electric, and they’re always really fun evenings.

“This time we really wanted to do something for the older people, for them to come along and enjoy themselves and reminisce over when they were young.”

Tickets for the 60s Explosion Night are available now, and cost £12 each. Doors open at 6.45pm and the event runs from 7pm until 1am. Call Natalie and Steve on 07796 137770 to book.