THE Mad March Hare team celebrated this year’s successful fundraising while launching next year’s event at their annual quiz night.

The springtime run around West Swindon and Lydiard Park raised £9,636 for Breast Cancer Now.

Volunteers hope that next year’s run will be just as successful.

On November 1, 17 teams hopped over to Swindon Town Football Club for the quiz and got the 2019 fundraising off to a good start with a total of £854 raised already.

Quiz master Bill Gibbons put participants through their paces with rounds of history, geography, sport and film trivia.

The Usual Suspects team won and Hell Toupe were the runners-up.

The room was packed with regular competitors and eager newcomers who enjoyed a tasty ploughman’s supper which was included in the price of their admission ticket.

New attendee Emma Mcardle said: “I attended the evening with my husband and a group of friends.

“It was the first time we have gone to a quiz night and although we were not very good we had a good laugh.

"The evening was made better as I won a raffle prize for a meal at Carluccio’s.”

Registration is now open for the 2019 Mad March Hare event, which will take place on Sunday March 24 2019, starting and finishing at Lydiard Park Academy.

The 5km and 10km routes will take walkers, joggers and runners around a scenic and circular trip through West Swindon.

Margaret Nicholson, chair of the Mad March Hare team, was looking forward to the year ahead.

She said: “The event, which is in its 12th year, has raised over £100,000 so far and we hope to make 2019 another successful year.

“We would like to thank the teams who took part as well as the many local companies who generously donated raffle prizes.

“Mad March Hare has grown in popularity over the years as it appeals to both families wanting to enjoy the fun and more serious runners alike.

“We hope to smash our numbers this year and booking early is advisable to avoid disappointment.”

Around 350 men and over 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK. More people are surviving it than ever before, yet there are still nearly 1,000 women who die of breast cancer every month in the UK.

To take part in the event, please visit madmarchhare.org.uk, email info@madmarchhare.org.uk or call 08456 808064.