Hundreds packed into Stockbridge on Sunday for the town’s annual George Skeates Cross Country Fun event.

A field of 215 people entered the fundraiser which netted £2,400 to be shared between the Salisbury-based Integrated Spinal Rehabilitation Foundation (Inspire) and Wessex Heartbeat, which has its HQ at Southampton General Hospital.

The challenge was started in 1986 by Mike Crossman to raise cash to help British sidecar racer George’s family after he suffered a disabling spinal injury in a racing accident.

George spent months’ slowly adjusting to life in Salisbury District Hospital’s Odstock Spinal unit where the charity Inspire is based.

Wessex Heartbeat was chosen in memory of George’s friend Mike Crossman.

Mike’s son Jeremy continued the fundraiser after his father’s death in 1994.

George was at Sunday’s race which started from the town hall.

Event organiser Jeremy said: “Once again the event proved successful with people tackling a choice of three or eight mile cross country courses on either foot or mountain bike. The beautiful, if fresh day enabled participants to gain the most from the event in its beautiful surroundings and quick times were put in despite sticky conditions that followed as a light frost thawed both underfoot and wheel.”

He thanked the volunteers who helped out on the day and those who took part in the fundraiser. First male past the winning post in the eight-mile run category was Matt West, who completed the course in 48 minutes and 6 seconds. Will Harding was 45 seconds behind in second place. Third was Andy Gannaway in 49:06. Emma Hall was the first woman runner across the line in a time of 61:15.

Hugo McCullagh won the three-mile run finishing in 24:01. Finn McCullagh was second in 24.30. Third was David Carter. Ruby Neville was the first woman home.

In the eight-mile cycling event, Chris Clark rode to victory in 34:07 Second was Mike Rickman and third Josh Chamberlain.

Seventy-one-year-old Andy Morris won the three-mile mountain bike ride finishing the course in 14 minutes. Toby Daniels was runner up and Kevin Daniels was third..

More than £50,000 has been raised for the two charities since the annual event started. Next year’s event will be on Sunday, January 10.