Brighter Futures is top fundraiser at Swindon Half Marathon

Hard-working runners in the Swindon Half Marathon raised more than £12,000 for Brighter Futures, believed to be the biggest total of any single charity in the event.

The money raised will go towards supporting a range of wards and departments at the Great Western Hospital, and also the ongoing Radiotherapy Appeal.

Thirty two runners officially represented Brighter Futures in the gruelling weather on Sunday 3 September, with a dozen more thought to have participated on the day.

It marks great progress for Brighter Futures as it is quickly becoming a household name for residents of Swindon.

Catherine Newman, Head of Fundraising for the charity, said: “The event is very challenging and we are so proud of the community’s immense support for Brighter Futures.

“We were a bit of sunshine on that wet, miserable day, and it was wonderful to see so many faces light up when they saw us.

“It is amazing to know that we were the local charity of choice for so many people.”

Volunteers for Brighter Futures set up a temporary camp at the marathon’s halfway mark in Wichelstowe, where they supported runners with water bottles, sweets, and smiles.

The team were joined at the cheering station by Swindon-based percussion group Ministry of Samba, which provided music to lift the spirits of the soaked runners as they made it halfway in the race.

Swindon Half Marathon also donated 950 water bottles, 14kg of jelly babies  and 1,000 energy gels to the charity for use at future Brighter Futures’ events.

In aid of the Radiotherapy Appeal, Brighter Futures will be holding its annual Ride for Radiotherapy on 16 September, where budding cyclists are being sponsored to ride around Wiltshire’s countryside on routes of 20, 45, or 70 miles.

The appeal has so far raised more than £1.7 million, which will be used to purchase the lifesaving machinery needed at the heart of the soon-to-be-built radiotherapy unit at GWH.

Find out more about the appeal at www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk