RAY COLLINS’ mission to raise “a shedload” of money for charity with a market place decathlon has just got bigger with the launch of Wantage’s first family fun run.

Mr Collins, 42, of Springfield Road, has pulled off a series of gruelling fitness challenges over the past six years, raising more than £30,000 for good causes.

But this year he is planning a truly ‘Olympian’ task, which will see him close off Wantage’s Market Place for the day to stage a sporting decathlon, and the town’s first ever “Ray’s Race for Life”.

“We already have a fabulous fundraising day taking place in the Market Place on July 1, so I thought it would be even better if we could get as many of the townspeople as possible to run 3km, ending up here, where they will be able to enjoy stalls, food, music and raise even more money,” he said.

Forms for Ray’s Race for Life can be picked up from TFD Gym in Grove, or Top Sport and Peter B Ledbury Ltd in Wantage. To donate, visit just giving.com/raysolympianchallengefunday. Or text £5 or £10 with the code RCOL88 to 70070.