A cardiac charity has benefitted from an annual cross-country fundraising event.
Cardiac charity Heartbeat has been named as one of the beneficiaries of the 37th annual George Skeates Cross Country fundraising event in Stockbridge which took place on January 12.
The event, which has raised over £100,000 for good causes since it began in 1986, was started by Mike Crossman, whose friend George Skeates – a keen international sidecar racing competitor – was badly injured in an accident and paralysed from the waist down.
Jeb Crossman, who now manages the event, said: "My whole family was into off-road motorcycling.
"George was a dear friend of my father’s, and his accident was totally life-changing.
"He was in his early thirties with a young family, and my father wanted to do something to help them, so he decided to organise a charity fun run in George’s name."
The day was a huge success, and two years later, George and Mike decided to organise another event – this time to raise funds for the INSPIRE charity, which helps people with spinal injuries.
In the mid-1980s, Mike Crossman had a heart attack before passing away in 1995.
"My father was treated at Southampton General Hospital, and we were so grateful to them for everything they did for him," continued Jeb.
"We’re splitting the proceeds of our annual event between Heartbeat, INSPIRE, and Horatio’s Garden, which provides wellbeing gardens for patients in NHS spinal injury centres."
Jeb is looking to increase the number of participants for next year.
"We usually get about 150 people taking part," he said.
"For 2026 we’d love to get that number up to about 250, and we’re encouraging anyone who’s interested to sign up.
"It’s great fun, and there’s a fantastic atmosphere on the day."
Anyone interested in donating or taking part in the 2026 event can contact jeb by email: jebcrossman@googlemail.com.
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