SAY “Women’s Institute” and, for most, it will conjure up images of tea, jam and village halls.

But one Swindon WI group is bucking the trend for the twee. Next month, the Old Town Belles are hosting a curry fundraiser in aid of Swindon’s cancer-fighting fund. 

The group, which numbers 60 women, raised £2,350 for Brighter Futures’ radiotherapy appeal last year. Now, the Belles want to help get their hospital appeal to its £2.9 million target.

In 10 days, they are organising a curry night at Old Town restaurant Zaika Valley. At £15, tickets buy a poppadom, main meal, rice, naan bread and share of a side dish – as well as a taste of what life’s like in the Old Town Belles.

The event is the first in what could be a series of Brighter Futures fundraisers over the coming months – with a quiz planned for April.
WI member Anne Norman said that Brighter Futures’ goal of kitting out a state-of-the-art radiotherapy centre was so important to people in Swindon.

She said: “It’s high on everyone’s agenda. There have been members who have had cancer in the past and everyone has a friend or colleague who has had cancer and has had to go through that journey to Oxford. 

“It’s close to everybody’s hearts.

“Our fundraising committee wanted to continue to raise funds for the radiotherapy appeal until it comes to an end. The WI has got really involved in the appeal.”

Anne, 59, understands the importance of getting that new radiotherapy unit. 

Soon after joining the Old Town Belles last January she began working for the Great Western Hospital’s fundraising team.

She’s full of praise for the WI group: “It’s been brilliant. Really friendly and you get to listen to some really interesting speakers and do things you wouldn’t normally do. It’s a great way of meeting new people.”

The Old Town Belles’ fundraising curry will be at Zaika Valley, Victoria Road, on Tuesday, March 6. 

Tickets are £15 and can be bought from Zaika Valley.

For more about Old Town Belles WI, visit: www.oldtownbelles.com.

To donate to the Brighter Futures appeal, call 01793 605631 or visit www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.