THE big countdown has started — with exactly two months to go to the big day, preparations for the largest community fundraiser Tavistock has ever seen are hotting up. The Bedford Mile, a huge fun run which aims to raise £100,000 towards an eight-lane all weather athletic track at Tavistock College, takes place on April 1. This week, a purpose-built website went live, enabling people to find out the latest on the Track 4 Tavistock fundraising campaign — and to register for the fun run itself. The site will include a forum, links to other organisations and will have a running total of the pledges for the track campaign. The event is being organised by the partners involved in the track campaign — Tavistock Athletic Club, Tavistock College and Kelly College. Martin Exley of Tavistock Athletic Club said as far as the athletics world was concerned, the support for the Track 4 Tavistock campaign was 'fantastic'. 'Everywhere I go, the feedback is brilliant. In the Plymouth area, the athletics clubs have formed an alliance called the Plymouth Forum. They are 100% behind the Tavistock track bid and will support the Bedford Mile fully,' said Martin, who said the track would be a 'fantastic long term asset' for the whole community. Mark Steed of Kelly College said: 'The Bedford Mile is a simple way in which every member of the Tavistock community can contribute to this valuable project. 'An all-weather track will transform the town's sporting facilities both for the young people in our schools and for the wider community — we hope that everyone will embrace what we are trying to achieve here.' In addition to the funrun, in which it is hoped thousands of people will participate, there will be an April Fool's Day Market in the pannier market and live music in the town hall during the afternoon and in The Wharf, where the entertainment will extend into the evening. Colin Eves, principal of Tavistock College, said: 'I'm absolutely delighted with the way the preparations are going. 'All the technical arrangements have been completed, the car parking, health and safety checks and licences — we are now looking forward to the most important part of making it happen and that is promoting it, getting people involved and raising the money.' To visit the website and register for the Bedford Mile, go to http://www.track4tavistock.co.uk">www.track4tavistock.co.uk