A FARMER who organised a tractor run in memory of his late wife has since given a cheque worth over £17,000 to the Dorset Cancer Centre.

Phil Trim - whose wife Jane, 53, was cared for at Poole Hospital while she had lung cancer - decided to organise The Purbeck Coast Tractor Run and Fun Event Weekend in a bid to help anyone who is living with the disease.

The tractor run took place in August, and was inspired by Jane's life, as she was well-known for showing prize cattle around the country and won many awards at shows.

The cheque was presented to the cancer centre on Monday October 28, which marked a year since Jane died.

Phil said: "Handing over the cheque is something positive we can do on the day she died.

"Jane wasn’t cured, but if this money can help someone else get better, that would be amazing.”

Phil and his son 16-year-old son Ben donated £17,115 to the Dorset Cancer Centre, with a dedicated amount going towards the Lung Club, run by Dr Mike Bayne.

Dr Bayne, who also treated Jane, said: “It was a privilege to treat Jane, and of course a sadness that we could not achieve more for her. She was an amazing lady who was incredibly resilient throughout her illness. Memories of her bravery and images of her on the farm and at farming contests will stay with us.

"These funds raised in her memory will help us maintain and improve the quality of care for others in her position. Part of the funds will support the running of the Lung Club, a support group set up and run by our fantastic specialist nurses Tracy, Alison and Elizabeth.”

He added: “This support group helps patients and families though their lung cancer journey, which is about far more than just the surgery, radiotherapy and drug treatment that the patients receive. We are incredibly grateful to Phil and all the family for all their efforts and this amazing donation.”

Debbie Fleming, joint chief executive of Dorset Cancer Care, said: "We are hugely grateful to Phil and his son Ben for their incredible generosity in raising such an enormous sum for our cancer unit. Their fundraising idea was different to anything that we have known before, and it was wonderful that so many people took part. We are glad that Jane received such excellent care from Poole Hospital, and this money will be used to further improve services for our cancer patients.”