FUNDRAISERS are getting ready to run, walk, hop, skip or jump their way through the Mad March Hare event in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer on Sunday.

But as well as the fundraisers, volunteers will be out in force to guide participants on to the next leg of their journey.

Stan and Dawn Pajak have marshalled at the event since its first year in 2008, and will once again be lining the route .

Stan, 59, from Old Town, said: “It’s another way you can be a part of the event without having to walk or run around the route, and it’s another way to help raise money for Breakthrough.

“This is like a local version of the MoonWalk and we are proud that we have something like it in Swindon.”

The annual event was set up after Irene Hare, a member of Swindon Twin Peaks Power Walking group, lost her battle with breast cancer in 2006.

A group of friends and supporters took the opportunity to start an event to inspire others to keep active while raising money for Breakthrough.

Margaret Nicholson, the chairman of the Mad March Hare team, said: “The event is really as much about the volunteers as about the participants, and we’re always keen to hear from more people who want to get involved.

“We’re very proud of the Mad March Hare; we are all volunteers who work really hard all year round to make the Mad March Hare the successful and fun event it is.

“It is now the seventh year that the event has taken place.”

One of the newest members of the volunteering team is Lyn Jacobs, from Freshbrook.

The 62-year-old said: “I am retired now so this was just something I thought I could do to give something back. “I think if you do someone a good turn maybe someone will give you a good turn back.”

From 11am hundreds of people will head off from Lydiard Park Academy in either a 5km or 10km event.

All participants will begin the Mad March Hare with a zumba warm-up session with Muevete Fitness.

While participants make their way around the route children will also be able to take part, with a special quiz trail available and a tasty prize for every youngster who finishes.

There may still be time to take part in the Mad March Hare event. For more information or to get involved, call the team on 0845 680 8064, email info@ madmarchhare.org.uk or visit www.madmarchhare.org.uk.