THE BRIGHTER Futures team will be out in full force for a packed fun day to celebrate 70 years of the NHS.

Swindon Rugby club is hosting the family-friendly event which will see NHS staff face off against each other in a football tournament. Throughout the day guests will have the chance to enjoy games, craft stalls, face painting, raffles and a host of other activities all in the name of charity. Funds raised from the day will be used to support the Great Western hospital.

Chloe Thomas, events manager at Brighter Futures, said: “The idea is to give back to the community while raising funds for the hospital. It’s a remarkable achievement to have a service that has grown and run for so long and it's important to recognise the staff who have made that happen.”

Sixteen teams are taking part in the football tournament, some of which are made up of doctors, nurses and physiotherapists. The winning team will be awarded with a trophy and runners up are set to receive medals. And if that wasn’t enough football, Swindon Rugby Club will also show all the action from the World Cup quarter finals in its function room.

Chloe told the Adver her colleagues were keen to make the event a success: “We’ll all be there, Lisa Utting is taking part in the football, and staff will be running all the stalls. So much is going on and all hands are on deck.”

The charity has also been busy with its cream tea initiative to raise money for the Radiotherapy Appeal. Staff have sold twice as many cream teas than they did last year, which will rake in around £2500 with the help of generous corporate donations.

Chloe added: “We’ve almost sold out on cream teas which is just amazing. It’s nice to see so many people behind the NHS.”

Once the charity hits its total, it will be able to buy cutting edge clinical equipment for the planned radiotherapy centre at Great Western Hospital. Upon completion, Swindon patients will no longer have to make the 70-mile round trip to Churchill Hospital in Oxford to receive treatment for their cancer. Our town is one of the few areas in the country that does not have access to radiotherapy services within a 45-minute travel time.

To turn that around, join Brighter Futures at the rugby club between 10.30am and 4.00pm on July 8. Entry to the event is free.