Two keen runners who lost their wives to cancer are gearing up to put a fledgling charity run on the map.

The pair want to see the Kirkwood Hospice Trail Run emulate a similar, well-established Wakefield event which raises thousands of pounds for the city's own hospice.

And it is the personal and poignant overtones which drive Huddersfield's John Philpott and Tim Cock as they help organise the second Trail Run for Kirkwood on Sunday, September 1.

Last year’s inaugural 10k event drew 160 runners and raised £4,000 for hospice funds.

“This year we aim to have around 400 runners and raise £10,000,” said John, who marks the third anniversary of the death of his wife, Joanne, on the weekend of the trail run.

The mother of four – a well-known medical practice nurse in Brighouse – was 49-years-old.

She had already survived cervical cancer but when lung cancer spread to her brain, she was given only three months to live.

In the last phase of her illness, she described her experiences on Facebook every day. “I took over when she became too poorly to do it,” said John, 59, who lives in Stocksmoor.

Although she was cared for at home, Joanne received help from Kirkwood’s Ginny Burgoyne.

And after her death, John attended counselling sessions at the Dalton-based hospice.

He went on to raise £30,000 for cancer research through various events, including the London Marathon.

“Help was always at hand,” he said, “And the care was phenomenal. So I have always felt an affinity with the hospice and that’s why I wanted to give something back.”

At 71, Tim Cock is still running marathons, sits on various athletics committees, tends gardens and makes jam from his own allotment.

Since his wife Mary died in 2006 from brain cancer, he and his family have been rocked by illness.

His son-in-law died just before Christmas, his daughter-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks ago and he himself, having already battled prostate cancer, is undergoing tests for bone cancer.

“That’s why I want to help the hospice,” said Tim, who lives at Upperthong.

“Kirkwood does such wonderful work in a key area which should be funded by the state. I feel very strongly about this. Cancer is so prevalent these days.”

Both John and Tim are long-standing members of Holmfirth Harriers. But John says Tim is “an inspiration”.

He said: “It’s amazing, the number of charity races he does. I coped by keeping busy.”

It was his idea to start the trail run, roping in Tim who ran 63 races last year. And they have been joined by Halifax Harriers stalwart Dene Townend who helped set up the course.

The race starts from the Leeds Road playing fields and takes in the canalside.

John and Tim hope that being a flat course will make it appealing to runners of all abilities, individuals as well as members of clubs. “It’s ideal for people who don’t run a lot and entrants can walk if they wish,” said Tim.

John added: “It’s a great course and the Leeds Road facilities are ideal.

“Wakefield has a similar event which raises thousands for its hospice and we want to see the trail run achieve that kind of profile in Kirklees.”

Sponsored by The Woodman Inn, Thunderbridge, and Pink Link, the run starts at 10.30am, with registration from 9am.

Entry fee is £10 and corporate teams of up to 10 runners can take part. Runners can sign up online from now at: www.kirkwoodhospice.co.uk/fundraising/events/trail-run .

Gabrielle Butler of Kirkwood Hospice fund-raising department said: “The first trail run was fantastic and we want it to be even better this year”.

Marshals are needed to man the course.

Anyone interested should contact Gabrielle on: 01484 557911.