THERE were tears in Jacqueline’s eyes as she crossed the Santa Run finish line – an hour after most others.

Run organisers stopped packing up, breaking into an impromptu round of applause for the Gorse Hill woman.

Jacqueline Passmore, now 52, broke her leg in two places last year. But she was determined to complete the annual fundraising 5km Santa Run – hosted by the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix.

She lined up at the start line with 500 others, but it took her two hours to complete the Lydiard Park course in December.

Jacqueline, who pushed her wheelchair the length of the course, said: “I just wanted to give something back – and that’s what inspired me.

“It was tiring. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d do it.”

At the finish line, the remaining spectators clapped – and one woman even burst into tears. Husband Andrew, 54, said: “Jacqueline just collapsed in my arms.”

The Santa Run has raised an astonishing £7,110 for two charities. Swindon Down Syndrome Group wins £3,360, which will help fund a “work-fit” coordinator to help people into work. And the remaining £3,750 will go to Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

John Fisher, secretary of the Rotary Club of Swindon Phoenix, said: “The Santa Run is brilliant. It’s getting better every year.

“We started the Santa Run about five years ago and we have always supported Wiltshire Air Ambulance. I just think it’s a charity that everybody in the county can benefit from. Hopefully they won’t have to – but it’s there for the use of all members of the public.”

Cheques were presented to representatives of the two charities last week.

Also at the Marriott Hotel event were Jacqueline and Andrew Passmore. Rotary president Nigel Causton handed the couple a picture taken just as they crossed the Santa Run finish line.

John Fisher said of Jaqueline’s remarkable run: “We thought it was just a wonderful achievement.”