AN OLD Town bowls club has handed over £1,500 to tackle cancer care.

Members of Westlecot Bowls Club ditched their bowling whites and pulled out their pens, signing a cheque for Brighter Futures.

It brings the total raised by the club for the hospital’s radiotherapy appeal to £3,000.

The cash has been raised by members’ coffee mornings and raffles at “friendlies” with other bowls clubs.

“Everything we make goes to Brighter Futures,” said Sheila Matthew, a member of Westlecot Bowls Club’s social team.

In the past, the club has raised funds for Prospect Hospice and Macmillan. But recently their focus has been on the hospital’s Brighter Futures appeal.

Hospital fundraisers want to raise £2.9million for a new radiotherapy centre at GWH – saving poorly cancer patients a 70-mile round trip for treatment at Oxford’s Churchill hospital.

Sheila added: “We thought we would carry on fundraising for Brighter Futures until they reach their target.

“We all know so many people who have had to do that awful journey to Oxford. A radiotherapy centre would make such a difference.”

The team behind Brighter Futures hope to hit £2m by Christmas Day. Their appeal currently stands at £1.9m. If everyone in Swindon donated just £1 they could hit their target overnight.

Catherine Newman, head of fundraising for GWH, said: “The response to the appeal has been overwhelming.

“Every time the postman comes to the door to deliver the mail he has a smile on his face as he hands over the donation forms. We all want to open them.

“We hope this £1 appeal will get us over the line.

“We’re nervously excited. It’s now in Swindon’s hands.”

To donate £1 to the Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal, text SWIN01 £1 to 70070.

Texts are free for Vodafone customers. Those on other networks pay their normal text charge.

For more, visit: www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.