SHOPPERS and store staff in Royal Wootton Bassett climbed aboard to take a look at a lorry with a mission to bring cancer treatment closer to patients.

One of the latest mobile chemotherapy units operated by Gloucestershire-based Hope for Tomorrow was displayed on Wednesday in the car park behind Sainsbury’s, where it has been voted charity of the year.

Regional fundraiser Clemency Rubenstein said: “We’re really pleased to be able to show the staff at Sainsbury’s what they are supporting.”

The area is currently served by a unit called Linda that is staffed by nurses from the Great Western Hospital. It visits spots including West Swindon, Eldene and Marlborough and allows patients to have vital chemotherapy sessions much close to home.

“I think as soon as someone steps on board they really understand what we are about,” said Clemency.

“Such a big part of it is the fact that two nurses to four patients is a much more comfortable, much less stressful environment to be treated in.”

“The staff are always fantastic, but of course when you are in the Great Western Hospital they are going to be pulled from pillar to post.”

“You have so much waiting when you get to a main oncology unit. You have to build in extra time for parking and when you have finished being treated you still have to get home.”

For those taking cancer patients to their appointments the mobile unit means they can drop them in for their session and pick them up later rather than having to spent hours hanging around the hospital.

Pauline Bennett, PR ambassador for the store, said staff and customers had a history of supporting cancer charities. Last year it was Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“It’s cancer and I think every one of us is probably touched by it in some way,” she said. “To bring the unit here for customers and colleagues to see is pretty amazing.”