BINGO nights in aid of the Prospect@Home appeal have been so popular that organiser Catherine Greenland is now holding them at a nearby working men's club.

Catherine, 44, a mum-of-five from Pinehurst, turned her regular bingo nights at home with friends and family into fundraising Get-Togethers for the appeal to run the Prospect@Home service.

The Swindon Advertiser is backing the new service which will offer 24-hour care to those who need and want it, allowing many more people to be able to die in their own home, if that is what they wish. Like so many people in Swindon, Catherine's Get-Togethers involve inviting people over, offering them food and asking for a donation.

Catherine's first two bingo nights at her home raised £380, then a third at North Swindon Working Men's Club, Cheney Manor, raised £800, bringing her fundraising total to nearly £1,200.

Since then she has held another bingo night at home, and raised £137, and is planning a fourth at the working men's club. This will start at 8pm on Wednesday, and all are welcome.

Catherine said: "My sister Anne Harding and I enjoy having bingo at my home, so we thought that instead of people winning a bit of money we would lay on some food, ask people to donate prizes, and raise money for Prospect@Home.

"I will carry on having my bingo nights at home and ask friends and family around, but we plan to have two bigger events a year at the workmen's club."

As well as the bingo, Wednesday's event will feature a sponsored chest wax for brave Pinehurst resident and club member John Costello. Money will also be raised through selling bingo numbers and rolls will be sold too.

"It's a good laugh and raises money at the same time," said Catherine. "So I hope people will come along and support it."

Prospect Hospice has produced a Get-Together fundraising pack full of ideas on how to run a successful event.

You can apply for your pack by calling 01793 816147 or 01793 815142.