A charity horse racing night is to be held in memory of a mother from Westbury who died from cancer at the end of last year.

Gill Down was a loved wife and mother to husband Kevin and nine-year-old daughter Hannah who lost her battle with bowel and lung cancer on December 22.

After supporting the Trowbridge branch of the Bath Cancer Unit, Mrs Down attended the branch’s first race night in 2014.

This year the branch are dedicating the event to her memory.

Event organiser and volunteer on the fundraising committee Marie Brichard-Parsons said: “Gill loved attending the race nights with her family, they all had great fun as well as raising money for the charity.

“The first time Gill came to one of our events was just after her first treatment for the cancer, and we were all hoping for a more positive outcome.

“That’s why Gill’s family feel it is important for them to come along as they can spend the evening remembering her as well as raising money for others in a similar situation.”

Mrs Down was treated at the cancer unit at the Royal United Hospital in Bath after she was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, aged 43.

During her treatment, Mrs Down’s family were helped by Dorothy House, who supported them and offered counselling.

In March, Mr Down along with a group of friends took part in another fundraising event, the Dorothy House Bath Men’s Walk from the hospice to Bath Rec, as well as holding a Charity Golf Day at Cumberwell Park in May to raise money for the Bath Cancer Unit Support Group and Dorothy House Hospice.

The race night will be held on Saturday October 7 at the White Horse Country Park near Westbury from 7pm 11pm.

Horse racing will be broadcast at the venue, with people donating 50p to place bets, as well as a bar, raffle and auction

With a larger venue than last year, organisers are hoping to sell around 180 tickets or more, and so exceed the £3,400 raised by the branch at last year’s event.

Donations of items for the auction and raffle are also being collected.

Tickets are £5 each, to include nibbles. Please call Marie Brichard-Parsons to buy tickets, donate to the raffle or for further information on 07709 912661.