THOSE looking for a different way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year could do worse than signing them up to the Mad March Hare.

The annual event in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer will take place on Mothering Sunday, March 15, when fundraisers will hop skip, jump and run their way around Lydiard Park.

Hundreds of people are expected to take part in the event in West Swindon, which kicks off at 11am.

It is the eighth year that the Mad March Hare has taken place, and once again people of all ages are invited to take part in the cause and raise vital funds for breast cancer support.

As usual participants will be able to choose between the 5km and the 10km route.

Margaret Nicholson, the chairman of the Mad March Hare team, said: “The aim of the event is twofold – to encourage people to invest in their health by getting active and to raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer Swindon and North Wilts. To date more than £78,000 has been raised.

“All the usual features will be on offer once again: a Zumba warm-up, sports massage area, a popular Hare Trail for the under-14s, the best home-made cakes in the café, goody bags for all finishers, including four-legged participants, and of course all two legged finishers receive a unique Mad March Hare medal.

“This fun walk/run/jog event welcomes people of all ages and abilities to get out and enjoy taking exercise. Individuals, families, dog walkers and groups of friends turn out in a wacky range of apparel to take part.

“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 a successful and fun event.”

The annual event was set up after Irene Hare, a member of Swindon Twin Peaks Power Walking group, died from 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.

To sign up online to the event, visit www.madmarchhare.org.uk.

Alternatively, call 0845 6808064 or email info@madmarchhare.

org.uk.