When little Evie Cates runs a mile later this year she’ll be doing so in memory of her grandfather Alan who died earlier this year, and also for her grandmother Ricki who she never met.

Of course, as she is only three, she won’t understand much about that - or the fact that she’ll be raising money for the Great Western Hospital’s Brighter Futures appeal – but mum Claire will make sure to tell her when she’s older.

Claire, who lives in Chiseldon said: “She knows a little bit – she understands that her grandfather’s not here any more – but when she’s older I’ll explain to her what it’s all about.”

Because Claire and Evie have a particularly poignant reason for supporting the appeal to bring a fully functioning radiotherapy unit to Swindon.

Evie’s grandmother Ricki Todkill died from cancer 14years ago at the tragically young age of 60 – and she, and her husband Alan, had to endure the journey to Oxford’s Churchill hospital for radiotherapy treatment.

Claire said: “My dad was with her every step of the way through the treatment. He went with her to every appointment and it was hard on both of them.”

Until Alan passed away earlier this year, aged 80, Claire said he held the Brighter Futures campaign close to his heart.

She said: “After my mum died he wanted to do something for charity every year – it would be something like Macmillan or Brighter Futures. We had a collection for the radiotherapy appeal at his funeral.

“It would be great to have the radiotherapy unit here in Swindon so that other people don’t have to go through the journey that my mum and dad had to go through.”

Claire’s original plan was for her and Evie to run the fun run at the Swindon Half-marathon on September 9, but since that even has been cancelled the pair will take part in the Halloween Spooktacular run at Coate Water park on November 28.

Claire said: “It’s Evie who is doing the run really – I’ll just be with her as her accompanying adult.”

To join Evie and Claire costs £7 for an adult, £5 for children under 16 and is free for the under fives.

For full details see www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk/events/halloween-spooktacular.