Local people have raised over £700 for charity thanks to Maxine Burgess, Torch Relay Runner, and Anglia Community Leisure (ACL) bringing the Olympic Torch to Newmarket.

Maxine completed the Ipswich leg of the Torch Relay on the 5th July and brought her shiny Olympic Torch to Newmarket Leisure Centre on Saturday 7th and Monday 9th July. Over a period of five hours over 200 families had their photos taken with Maxine and the Torch. In total they raised £724 with £543.75 going to The British Heart Foundation and £180.25 going to the ACL Disability Pool Hoist Fund.

Maxine, who will be representing Great Britain in the World Duathlon Championship (Running & Cycling) in the 35-39 age category, said: "Running a leg of the Torch Relay was a fantastic experience, one of the best things I have ever done. This event has given hundreds of people the chance to share my experience, hold a real Olympic Torch, be part of the Olympic build up and raise some much needed money for charity."

Alex Mayera from The British Heart Foundation said: "The generosity of the public has been fantastic and the interest in the Torch has been amazing. We at the Heart Foundation would like to thank Maxine and Newmarket Leisure Centre for making this happen and raising so much money to help keep more hearts beating in Suffolk."