TWO groups of fundraisers who entertained the town with fashion and rugby events have handed in big cheques to Brighter Futures.

Despite the diversity of their interests, both groups sought the common goal of bringing a radiotherapy unit to Swindon.

Back in March, long-time charity worker Julie Allen was looking forward to giving a speech at her fashion show and tea party in Blunsdon to raise money for the Radiotherapy Appeal. A mere week before the show she lost her life to ovarian cancer. Knowing she would not be well enough to attend the event, she encouraged her friends to push forward and make it a big success.

One of those friends was Julie Hennessy who recently presented Brighter Futures with a cheque for £2,684. The total was bolstered by a £500 donation from Intel.

Mrs Hennessy said: “To raise the amount we did is a fitting tribute to Julie. Brighter Futures were over the moon and we’ve become quite close with them.

“It was amazing. Our on-costs were so low which meant we raised so much for the charity. Most of the catering and cake baking was for free because people were just donating their cooking ingredients and their time.”

The group of friends will meet for a celebratory drink next month to discuss ideas for a tea party in Mrs Allen’s honour.

Mrs Hennessy added: "Julie would’ve been very proud of the show. And she would’ve expected it of me and that’s why I loved it when she said, ‘the show must go on.'"

Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby and Football Club also got in on the fundraising action by hosting its Sausage and Cider Festival. The President’s 15 team at the club managed to fend off competition from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Battalion to retain the McCue Cup, held in memory of a soldier who was repatriated in the town.

Aside from the spirited rugby match, guests at the event enjoyed a range of local meats and ciders as well as live music from the Twerzels and big band 41 Degrees.

Alec Adams, membership secretary of the Bassett club, said: “It was cracking day, a good event for everybody. We retained the McCue Cup for the second year running, the sausage and cider fair went very well, George Scarrott’s fair was there and Brighter Futures had some stalls and things and there must’ve been a good few hundred people through the doors during the day. We’ll raise money again for Brighter Futures next year.”

The club handed £1000 to Brighter Futures to bring forward the day The Great Western Hospital sees a brand-new radiotherapy centre on its premises. So far the charity has raised around £2.3 million, which is £600,000 shy of the total they need. Members of the charity team hope to reach this finish line later this year.