ORGANISERS of the annual Chippenham Half Marathon have declared Brighter Futures one of their official charity partners for this year’s run in September.

The half marathon – or the Chippenham Half, as it is known – is always extremely popular and in 2015 it was declared the eighth best running event by magazine Runners World.

It has been going for more than 20 years and since 2008 it has managed to raise more than £56,000 for various charities.

Miles Wilson, one of the event’s organisers, said: “The half marathon is a race organised by runners, for runners and it attracts around 1,500 people every year.

“We are a non-profit organisation and this time we have chosen Brighter Futures and the Forever Friends Appeal as our official charities.

“This year will be the best for a long time because the local community is planning to come together and offer people lots of different activities and treats.

“Last year we found that people stayed longer because we had bouncy castles and things for the kids to do, so this year we’ll have many other activities to bring families out in force.

“You don’t even need to race if you don’t want to, anyone can come along for a fun day and support the runners.”

Organisers wished to thank sponsors John Williams Heating Services, Drain Wizards 24/7, Atwell Martin Estate Agents and Batt Broadbent, who have funded the event.

Miles said: “All our charities are chosen because they touched someone in the club. The radiotherapy appeal means a heck of a lot to so many people and they need funding to reach their target – it is a very worthy cause.”

One of the other organisers said: “In choosing our official charity or charities, as we have had more than one at a time in the past, we have looked for something that helped the people of Wiltshire specifically rather than big national charities.

“Supporting a hospital that many Wiltshire residents use fits the bill. However, we have two excellent hospitals in this area so we had thought that rather than just have the Forever Friends Appeal as our official charity in 2016 we would have Brighter Futures as well and jointly promote and support both hospital appeals.”

The Forever Friends Appeal is the charity for the Royal United Hospital in Bath that raises funds to help improve the lives of patients and their families.

The half marathon takes place on Sunday, September 4 at the Chippenham Sports Club from 9.30am.

Runners can still enter by visiting the Brighter Futures website on http://www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk/events/chippenham-half-marathon/

The event costs £20 to £22 to enter (depending on whether you are a member of an athletics club) and Brighter Futures will provide a fundraising pack and a running vest.

People are encouraged to donate as soon as they register to race and all the money will go directly to the charities.

So far £875,000 has been raised for Brighter Futures, which means we’re still some way off the target. To donate you can send cut out and send in the attached form or log on to www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.