Goring resident creates Goring Slot Racing Circuit

Ron Murray, 67, from Goring-on-Thames, created the Goring Slot Racing Circuit after his wife Gillian was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 14 years ago at the age of 48.

Mr Murray said: “From the time of Gill’s diagnosis, we wanted to do something to support Parkinson’s UK.

“We started with events at home like Pimms for Parkinsons, Great American Breakfast, Craft Cakes & Collectibles sales, but I wanted to find a way to involve more people and reach a wider community.”

Using his engineering background, Mr Murray collected and refurbished old Scalextric track to build a 27-metre digital circuit, complete with race simulation software and more than 400 handmade model trees.

Since opening in 2020, the circuit has hosted more than 120 race sessions and welcomed 600 visitors, raising £8,171 for Parkinson’s UK.

Mr Murray said: “It’s become really popular with local families, especially during holidays.

“People come to race each other, celebrate birthdays or just try something different, and they’re supporting a great cause at the same time.

“I feel very lucky that something I enjoyed building continues to bring people together and raise money for Parkinson’s research.”

Support has poured in from residents of Goring and neighbouring areas, with many families returning for repeat visits.

Sarah Jones, community fundraiser for Thames Valley at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Ron for creating the Goring Slot Racing Circuit and for all his fundraising for Parkinson’s UK.

“Parkinson’s is a complex brain condition that gets worse over time.

“Affecting 166,000 people in the UK, it has more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety, and there is currently no cure.

“On behalf of everyone at Parkinson’s UK, thank you to Ron and the whole community for making such a meaningful difference.”

Mr Murray continues to expand the circuit with new features and interactive elements, including a Batmobile that emerges from a hidden Batcave.

He said: “In today’s world, it’s great to have somewhere people can come, have fun, forget things for a while and contribute to a good cause.”

To learn more about the project, visit ronmurray9.wixsite.com/mysite.

Someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the UK every 20 minutes and the number of people worldwide with the condition will double to 25million by 2050, according to Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s UK is the leading European funder of Parkinson’s research and provides support throughout every stage of the Parkinson’s journey.

The charity’s free, confidential helpline is available at 0808 800 0303.