THE Swindon branch of an international charitable organisation has handed a cheque for £4,000 to the Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal.

More than 60 members and friends of the town’s Moose International held a Christmas lunch at the Moose Hall in Old Town earlier this month in which they presented the cheque to representatives from Brighter Futures.

Gerald Heather, secretary of Moose International Swindon, said: “We have always supported local charities and we fully back the radiotherapy appeal.

“Our members suggested supporting Brighter Futures and we were all in full agreement – it’s a wonderful charity that is trying to improve the lives of local people.

“It’s very important to everyone in Swindon because those requiring treatment have to make that journey to Oxford every single day, and it’s not fair. People should be able to be treated closer to home.”

Alongside the traditional Christmas lunch – with turkey and all the trimmings – guests enjoyed a sing-along as they watched Moose chairman Kevin Hayes hand GWH chaplain Rev Steve Henderson the cheque for £4,000.

The group also gave £500 to Swindon Scouts and £400 to the GWH Memory Clinic.

Gerald said: “All the money was raised by members throughout the year. We held various events, with the monthly bingo being one of the most popular.”

Earlier this month, generous Moose members also gave £1,000 to Patsy Moloney’s Christmas Care scheme, which aimed to help the homeless and less fortunate during the festive period.

Moose International is a global movement which began in the United States in the late-nineteenth century before eventually spreading to the UK. It aims to bring communities closer by supporting charitable causes in each branch’s local area.

As Gerald explained: “In a heard of moose, if the older ones die then the rest of the heard get together and look after the orphans – that was the basis for the movement and that’s what we are all about.”

Gerald stressed that new members are more than welcome to join and would be welcomed by Swindon’s Moose community.

For more information on joining the group, call Gerald on 07747 627260.

So far £1,307,568 has been raised for Brighter Futures. The team is very grateful for every single donation and wish to thank everyone for their support. To donate you can send cut out and send in the attached form or log on to www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.