A BROAD Hinton farm is fast becoming one of the keenest fundraisers in the Brighter Futures armoury, with a new 10km race to add to its current crop circle attraction.

Weir Farm, which is at the Yew Tree Lane and A4361 crossroads, hit the headlines last week with its bird-like wheat field design and has been charging £3 a tour in aid of the hospital charity, with funds currently topping more than £5,000.

Now, Hackpen Hill 10km Trail Run has been created by electrician and runner Paul Bailey in aid of the charity’s £2.9m radiotherapy appeal for Great Western Hospital.

Each of the fundraising drives was devised to celebrate the memory of Gill Hussey, the wife of the farm’s owner James, who died at the end of 2014 after a long fight with cancer.

Inspired by Gill, whom his family knew very well, Paul, 40, of Perry’s Lane in Wroughton, wanted to create something which would help create a new radiotherapy centre and end the tiresome Oxford journey for Swindon’s cancer patients.

“We are aiming to raise about £1,500. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s better than a kick in the teeth,” he said.

“If just 25 people did it we would be well on our way to hitting it and getting everyone in Swindon using the new facility.

“In this day and age we shouldn’t have to do this [traipse to Oxford].”

The race has been slated for a 10.30am start on September 13 at the farm, which will remain off-road and take in some of the best sights Swindon has to offer, with the Ridgeway and Barbury Castle nearby.

Paul, who completed this year’s London Marathon, trains with village running group Wroughton Whippets, which has helped him to bring the idea to fruition.

All members of the group have done their bit to cut through all the red tape needed to put on such a public event, which has an entry limit of 450.

“We all, including James, think it’s a special way of remembering Gill and something she would be proud of,” said Paul. “He is hugely supportive of everything we are doing and has come up with some fantastic ideas.”

The event is £10 to enter, £12 on the day, with online entries at entrycentral.com/hackpenhill10ktrail.

More information is available through Facebook - search for Hackpen Hill 10k Trail - or e-mail hackpen10k@gmail.com.

“He was quite emotional when I suggested we do something in her memory, as most people would if somebody wanted to recognise your wife’s life and what she lived for.

“He is hugely supportive of everything we are doing and has come up with some fantastic ideas.”

The logo which is being used on the event’s promotional paraphernalia and medals was created by Gill before she died for another project she was working on.

The longer-term and ambitious aim is to make the event annual and remain as inclusive as possible, with children permitted to enter with an adult, dogs allowed and walkers too.

“We want to get the whole community of Broad Hinton into supporting someone they knew really well,” said Paul.