A TEAM running in memory of a beloved local man have raised £1,000 for every kilometre run in the Chew Valley 10K.

The team of 17 ran in memory of the late Tom Barter from Bishop Sutton, headed up by Tom’s sister Kate.

They have raised more than £11,000 for Brain Tumour Research, thanks to the generosity and support shown by around 300 donors to their JustGiving page.

Tom tragically died of a glioblastoma brain tumour in September last year, aged just 55.

He had always been fit and healthy, and his stage four diagnosis 10 months earlier had come as a devastating shock to his family and friends.

A few months before Tom passed away, Kate had told him of her plans to enter this run with her husband, as a tribute to Tom.

She said: “Little did we know at the time how much this run would grow; we had Tom’s old friends from Chew Valley School and art college joining family members and family friends to run together in his honour.

“Tom had been absolutely shocked, as are so many brain tumour patients and their families, to learn how under-researched brain tumours are.

“Therefore he had resolutely asked that funds raised should go to Brain Tumour Research.”

Just one percent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain cancers since records began in 2002, yet they kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

“More research funded through campaigns like ours will improve clinical trials, leading to breakthroughs in treatment and a chance of survival. This will give brain tumour patients some hope,” Kate added.

A friend of Tom’s from their art college days at the London College of Printing, Tim Baigent, designed an eye-catching logo for the team’s T-shirts and fundraising material.

Tom’s hairdresser arranged for the teams shirts to be printed free of charge by Marven Group Printing, and Bishop Sutton Post Office and the Red Lion pub displayed collection boxes to help raise more funds over the weekend of the run.

Tim commented: “People really got behind this fundraiser in Tom’s memory. This was such a poignant run for us all; the route covered lanes Tom used to really enjoy running on and it went right past the home where he was brought up, where there was a big group of Tom’s friends and family cheering us all on.”

Team Tom also want to thank the Chew Valley 10K organising committee for promoting Team Tom in the build-up to the 10K and on the day itself with Kate and her family shown huge support from so many people who played a part in the run.

A fundraising gig for Brain Tumour Research is planned for later this summer at Bishop Sutton Village Hall later this summer organised by Tom’s Father, Rowland Barter, a member of the popular local band Rockola.

Team Tom’s JustGiving page is still accepting donations at: www.justgiving.com/team/team-tom-2026