IT'S FOUR cheers for the Windmill Appeal this week as the cancer care charity smashes through the Macmillion pound target -- thanks to the massive efforts of four local fundraisers.

The quartet of cheques which finally broke the million pound barrier comprised a £2,000 cheque from Daintee Confectionary (now Toms) on Cherry Tree Road, an £8,000 cheque from Marks and Spencer, a £10,000 cheque from the BACTA (British Amusement Trade Association) and £5,000 from one of Blackpool's champion fund-raisers -- Pat Mancini.

BACTA proudly presented their huge cheque in front of a fruit machine at their trade exhibition in the Norbreck Castle Hotel. And game-for-a-laugh staff at Blackpool's Marks and Spencer's store dressed up once more in the fancy dress costumes that had helped them raise £4,000 for the appeal (which was then matched by their head office) bringing the total to £8,000. Pat Mancini, who is chairman of the admirable Queensdean Association was allowed the honour of making the donation which finally tipped the balance to one million one thousand and thirty pounds.

Pat has already raised £25,000 for the appeal and was delighted at reaching the million pound target as she told the Citizen.

I have been raising money for the appeal ever since it started. I did it all in honour of my late husband, Rudi. He was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago and was cured at Victoria Hospital, but he had a heart attack two years ago and died."

Director of fund raising Ramesh Gandhi commented on the massive achievement by showing gratitude to everyone involved as he said: " A million thanks to everyone including ITM Communications."

Elaine Fossett, deputy director of fund-raising, also added: "This is an outstanding achievement by the people of Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde, ITM Communications, The Gazette, The Wave, and The Citizen."