Here's a look back at some of the highlights of the past three years...

In 2014, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust’s board proposes to spend £14.7m for a new radiotherapy unit, asking GWH to raise the remaining £2.5m.

Lalbagh curry house in Rodbourne Road becomes one of the first businesses to donate to the radiotherapy appeal. Restaurant owner and councillor Abdul Amin hands over a £1,000 cheque in June.

The official £2.9m radiotherapy appeal is launched in May 2015. Dr Guy Rooney, clinical director, says: “Bringing radiotherapy treatment to Swindon will make such a difference to local patients and their families.”

Within five months, the appeal has raised £200,000. Then fundraising chief at GWH Jennifer Green tells the Adver in October 2015: “The support we’ve received from local people is absolutely fantastic.”

In May 2016, runners don their superhero capes for a 10k race around Coate Water. Brighter Futures expects to raise £10,000 towards the appeal, which is already approaching £450,000.

The Adver visits the Churchill Hospital in November 2016, speaking to radiotherapy staff about what the treatment involves. Manager Elisabeth Turner said: “So many people have had to travel to Oxford from Swindon. The treatment they receive is excellent, but it’s the travelling that’s the problem. It impacts so much on their lives.”

Two of the more unusual fundraisers set off in July 2017, aiming to drive 10,000 miles to Asia in a beaten-up Suzuki as part of the Mongol Rally. Matthew Smith and Will Keat raised £2,000 for Brighter Futures.

Generous Adver readers help Brighter Futures hit a £2m milestone by Christmas 2017 after a campaign calls on people to donate £1.

Eight months later, a further £500,000 has been raised. Catherine Newman said of hitting the £2.5m milestone: “I’m over the moon.”

Biker David Young set off from Swindon in September 2018 for a marathon journey across Europe. His trip to Cyrus raises £5,300 for the appeal.

In October 2018, the Adver reports that the radiotherapy unit could be delayed as operators Oxford University Hospitals apply to government for a multi-million pound loan.

Rotary clubs apply for a global grant, receiving confirmation they’ve been successful in late November. Brighter Futures announce they’ve completed the appeal in December 2018.