THE Castle Combe Circuit has hit top gear after receiving an award in recognition of its fundraising efforts for a new £8.5million cancer unit at Bath’s Royal United Hospital.

The track has supported The Forever Friends Appeal RUH Cancer Care Campaign since 2014 after the circuit’s sales co-ordinator, Maria Fisher, was diagnosed with a tumour in her right lung and had it removed.

The 51-year-old picked The Forever Friend’s Appeal as the circuit’s charity and it has been supported by three track days which have raised £13,700 that will go towards the new cancer unit.

Mrs Fisher was on hand last week to receive a plaque from the Forever Friend’s Appeal for the circuit to become community partners.

“I wanted to give something back to the RUH and it escalated from there,” said Mrs Fisher.

“The new centre is going to be amazing, I’m so happy that we can help fund towards it.”

Events fundraiser for The Forever Friends Appeal, Laura Pearce said: “We are so grateful to Maria and everyone at Castle Combe Circuit as well as organiser [of the track days], Christopher Darwin, for their incredible support in putting on such a well-liked track day and continually choosing to support the Appeal.

“As a hospital serving over 500,000 people across Wiltshire and Somerset and even further afield, supporting the RUH is a cause that touches the hearts of so many – including motor-enthusiasts.

“Their commitment and generosity has allowed them to make an amazing contribution to the RUH Cancer Care Campaign, which will help to transform cancer care for thousands of local patients.”