JUNE 24: Swindon once hosted a marathon which attracted top runners and raised money for good causes. Now, the athletic tradition looks set to be revived thanks to a new fundraising initiative backed by the town's business community, writes Bhavani Vadde.

THE marathon may have its origins in ancient Greece but in modern times the race has become a way of raising funds for charity as well as fulfilling personal goals.

The last time Swindon hosted such an event was in 1990.

Now Swindon Cares, a new fundraising group launched last week, wants to organise a half marathon next year as a way of involving the entire Swindon community in its money making drive.

The winner of the last Swindon Marathon, Valerie Gibbons, 55, has run in races around the country and thinks it is about time town hosted such an event again.

She was the first woman to finish the Swindon Marathon in 1990 with a time of 3 hours, 50 minutes and 10 seconds.

Valerie, who is a coach for the Swindon Harriers, said: "I felt brilliant when I won. I had run in it twice before and I knocked one hour from my last attempt.

"The atmosphere was very good and I would like to see it back. Swindon is a big town and we should have a marathon.

"But it is a lot of hard work to organise and you need the co-operation of the police as well as a lot of people to volunteer as marshals."

This year Swindon Cares aims to raise £10,000 for three charities working in Swindon the NSPCC, Age Concern and the Evening Advertiser's Swindon Cancer Appeal to raise £600,000 to improve provision for cancer sufferers.

Swindon Cares is supported by Nationwide, Zurich, the GWR Community Trust, the Rotary Club of Swindon, Swindon Coun-cil, the Swindon Chamber and the Evening Advertiser.

The partnership wants schools, community groups, companies and individuals to get involved in fundraising during a focused week of activity called Swindon Cares Week, which will begin on July 14.

But organisers have more ambitious plans for Swindon Cares in the coming years.

Michelle Leighton from Nationwide said: "We are in the initial stages of planning a half marathon but so far the route has not yet been confirmed."

The idea has already received support from the people chosen to head the scheme.

Swindon Cares patron, Lord Joffe, said: "Swindon Cares could recreate something which was an important part of cultural and sporting life in the town.

"Marathons are a wonderful way of bringing together a vast number of people and engendering a community spirit, which is what Swindon Cares is about."

James Arkell, managing director of Arkell's brewery is chairman of Swindon Cares. He said: "It is very exciting. An event like that could attract people from outside the town. I used to run a lot so I might even take part, as long as I can take a rest along the way."

Bill Fishlock, chairman of Prospect Hospice and vice chairman of Swindon Cares, said: "There is a lot of interest in running and fitness. There are lots of ideas for involving people in a marathon.

"You could have people running in a relay or in groups, so we are really just looking into the concept at the moment."

Swindon Cares has produced fundraising packs containing inspirational ideas and money-making tips. They are available from Pam Webb on (01793) 502450 or pam.webb@uk.zurich.com. The information is also available on the Swindon Cares website, which can be found at www.swindoncares.co.uk.