A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the Chronicle-Macmillan Cancer Relief Angels Appeal.

A staggering £100,000 has been banked since we launched the appeal last spring.

Thanks to the generous support of readers, all manner of wacky events have been staged to put cash in the coffers of the Macmillan Nurses fund at Leighton Hospital.

Hundreds of people across South Cheshire have helped the appeal to fund additional cancer nursing specialists who help to steer patients through treatment.

Last summer saw numerous sponsored walks and swims by people of all ages, including parents and children as young as three who took part in a big fundraising trek round Oulton Park in August.

Christmas saw fancy dress pub crawls and parties and colleagues donating to Macmillan Cancer Relief instead of giving presents.

Hundreds of children across South Cheshire took part in the sponsored Big Hush event in January and funds have rolled into the appeal office from families who gave cash instead of Easter eggs.

Nantwich's Macmillan Support Group continues to be a successful money-spinning team. Its next event is a quiz night at Nantwich Civic Hall on Friday, followed by a street collection in Crewe on Saturday, April 16.

Macmillan fundraising manager Amy Wilson, 32, who is based at Leighton Hospital, said: 'It is wonderful to have achieved such a marvellous figure. With the support of the Chronicle we have been able to reach so many more people and recruit new supporters.

'On a personal note I am thrilled to greet a milestone in my final week with Macmillan before I move to a new fundraising post.'

The fundraising will continue throughout 2005 as we try to put thousands of pounds into the coffers.

As well as providing dedicated nursing staff, Macmillan gives grants to people coping with money problems as well as cancer.

In 2004, Macmillan gave more than £6.5m in grants to 17,102 people. This included £129,161 to help 323 people in Cheshire.

Cases have included a passionate young football supporter with a bone tumour who was given a grant to buy a season ticket for his football club. A retired builder with a facial tumour who could not afford to continue his hobby of painting was given a small grant to buy paper, brushes and paints.

If you, or someone you care for, has been diagnosed with cancer and you are struggling to make ends meet, phone the Macmillan CancerLine on Freephone 0808 808 2020.