The annual Mike Brown Memorial Motocross event at Marshfield track, near Chippenham, on Good Friday raised more than £16,000 for The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign.

The appeal is raising money for a pioneering new cancer centre for the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

Event organisers chose to support the appeal, due to the fundraising efforts of former motocross rider, Mark Hucklebridge.

Diagnosed with inoperable cancer, Mark, 35, has dedicated himself to raising awareness and funds for The Forever Friends Appeal’s RUH Cancer Care Campaign. He recently taking part in the Bath Half Marathon despite undergoing a course of chemotherapy.

MJ Church and Motoxtreme Kawasaki, are both long established local firms that have supported the highly successful motocross rider for much of his career, and were part of the Motocross Events fundraising efforts.

Paula Church, of M J Church, said: "Motocross is a huge part of the church families’ lives; we have been involved in the sport since the '60s, and have spent many weekends travelling around the world supporting our son Tom and nephew Mark and we have made some great friends over the years, including the Brown family.

"The motocross community really is fantastic and the way people have supported Mark's fundraising efforts is truly amazing."

This was the 25th anniversary of the Mike Brown Memorial Race held at Marshfield Motocross Club. The event featured an ‘Old Friends' Race’ where Mike’s friends, relatives and former competitors came together to race in his memory and for the first time, teamed up with their sons/daughters, nephews/nieces or protégés for a two rider relay race.

Alan Price, Marshfield Motocross Club treasurer, said: “There have been many people involved with the Mike Brown Memorial over the years that deserve thanks, as without the foundations they built, there could not have been a 25th anniversary to use as a fundraising platform.

"We hope to continue our association with the appeal as it really motivates people and leads to a great atmosphere. The new race format and extra effort put in by the committee this year really paid off and thoughts of 2015 are already creeping in.”

Funds were raised through the raffle, a share of the entrance takings, the auction of current world class rider gear and a Kawasaki KX85 off-road motorcycle. This motorcycle was donated by Kawasaki Motors UK, and alone raised £3,000.

Jo Hones, of The Forever Friends Appeal, said: “Mark is a truly inspiring individual. He has an extremely supportive network of friends, family and colleagues who are determined to help him with his fundraising efforts for the new Cancer Centre.

"Raising over £16,000 in just one day is absolutely incredible and we are just so pleased to have accepted such a large cheque towards the new Cancer Centre building. Thank you to everyone who organised, and supported the Marshfield Motocross day – it really was a day to remember!”

To find out more about The Forever Friends Appeal visit www.foreverfriendsappeal.co.uk while the club's facebook page can be found by searching for Marshfieldmxclub@hotmail.co.uk

To continue with their support for Mark’s fundraising efforts, Kawasaki Motors are organising a Kawasaki Golf Classic in Reading on July 16 with more information at www.kawasakigolfclassic.org