RETAIL powerhouse M&S is using its clout to raise funds for Brighter Futures.

Staff from the Mannington branch in Swindon have chosen the Great Western hospitals charity for its locality and the vital services it provides to patients in need.

Store Manager Jessica Hurley said: “At Marks and Spencer we are really passionate about supporting local charities. Every year, as a team, we elect a charity to support in store through various fundraising channels. Brighter Futures was inundated with nominations from the colleague population, with us having already raised £1100 for the charity.”

Donations placed in buckets by the store entrance will go straight towards the cause, as will money made from the sale of homemade treats by budding staff baker Dawn, who makes cake, rocky road, and sweets jars for her colleagues.

Speaking of the decision to support Brighter Futures, Jessica said: “A vote was held by staff and Brighter Futures came out on top. We’ve supported them before and everyone is really passionate about the charity.”

The food and clothing giant will also provide Brighter Futures with an assortment of prizes for use in fundraising events it runs throughout the area. A team from the charity visited the store in celebration of this year’s partnership.

“It’s a lot better to communicate face to face and actually meet the people you’re supporting,” the store manager added. “Cancer touches many families, some of which are in this store, so we are all incredibly proud to support the fantastic work that Brighter Futures does.”

Brighter Futures is the charity for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which includes the Great Western Hospital in Swindon and community sites in and around Wiltshire. It aims to make a difference to patients, their families and the staff who treat them above what the NHS can provide on its own.

The charity is seeking funds for a range of appeals, including the radiotherapy appeal which will bring much-needed cancer treatment closer to home. Money raised for the appeal will pay for a modern purpose-built facility that provides a welcoming environment for patients at a difficult time in their lives.