FUNDRAISERS across Swindon have been unstoppable, smashing the £100,000 mark for the Adver’s 160 Appeal way ahead of schedule.

Less than three weeks ago the grand total stood at just £86,000 but throughout July a wave of donations has poured in to take the amount above the magical figure.

Since its launch in February, the campaign, which set out to raise £160,000 for Prospect Hospice, has struck a chord with the people of Swindon, who have taken it upon themselves to stage charity bake sales, pub quizzes, bike rides, fun days, signed up to skydives and even shaved their heads in a show of support for the thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses receiving care at the hospice.

Over the past six months, no climb has been too high or trek too strenuous for the town’s most dedicated philanthropists, with many donating between £4,000 and £15,000 to the appeal.

Despite their disastrous fitness levels, the Adver team too has been pulling out all the stops, recently competing in the Dragon Boat Race – failing miserably to place in the top 10 but boosting the appeal nonetheless – and putting in the miles at the Starlight Walk, Big Bike and a 160km cycle to the Severn Bridge.

Adver editor Gary Lawrence said: “We have all been amazed at the huge number of people in Swindon who have rallied behind our appeal from the very first day.

“Reaching the £100,000 mark in just six months is absolutely wonderful. It’s heart-warming for us to see how many people have responded to our campaign and given it 100 per cent. They have set the bar very high and we thank them for it.

“It has certainly helped our readers to see the Adver team taking the lead by signing up to challenges and holding their own curry nights, quizzes and regular collections.

“Reporters, editors and advertising and sales consultants have been, and continue to be, great champions of the appeal. Their commitment has been exemplary. We look forward to seeing what the public has in store for the hospice over the next few months.

“I know many people at the Adver have exciting challenges coming up, including skydives, an eating contest and a charity dance competition.

“We are confident that, with your help, we will achieve our £160,000 target. And we may even surpass it.”

£160,000 would allow the hospice to fund 500 overnight stays in its in-patient unit; that is 12 days at a time for 43 patients.

The sum would cover 6,400 hours of support of the 24-hour Prospect@Home service.

Hilary Sinclair, nurse manager on Prospect Hospice’s in-patient unit expressed the gratitude of everyone at the charity for the Swindon Advertiser’s support.

“Raising £100,000 is a great achievement that will make a real difference for the many patients and families cared for and supported by Prospect Hospice,” she said. “On their behalf I want to thank all the readers of the Swindon Advertiser for their magnificent support and for all their efforts towards getting ever closer to the £160,000 fundraising target.”

To make a donation to Prospect go to www.prospect-hospice.net To sign up an event in aid of the 160 Appeal visit www.prospect-hospice.net/Supporter/Fundraising-Events