Goan community raises £6k for Brighter Futures hospital charity

Swindon's Goan community has raised £6,012.86 for the Brighter Futures campaign.

The team from Serco, the company used by Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for site maintenance and facilities management, held a big Valentine’s Day ball in February where the families of around 300 members of staff were invited to a dance and dinner. A band also played at the event.

The money will go towards work supporting cancer services at the hospital, following the charity reaching its £2.9million target for a new Radiotherapy Appeal last year.  

Mercal Crasto, who works as a housekeeper and porter, said: "Through the dedication and hard work of my colleagues, we raised this money. We have donated generously and are delighted, joyous and glad to present the money. Thank you to everyone who came to the ball."

Brighter Futures is the charity for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust which includes Great Western Hospital  and community health sites in Swindon. The charity improves the hospital environment, funds ground breaking research, supports the development and training of hospital staff and provide state-of-the-art equipment. "

Lisa Utting, Donor Development Manager for Brighter Futures, who attended the ball, said: “It was a great evening and absolutely lovely that this amount of money was raised by so many people coming together.

“Thank you to the Goan community at our hospital for raising such an impressive amount of money.”