LOCAL runner, Ian Webber, who lives near Coldridge, is training for his 18th consecutive London Marathon, which will be taking place on Sunday, April 28.

Once again, Ian and his wife, Jayne will be raising money for Hospice UK prior to the day, one of the events being a Coffee Morning and Silent Auction at North Tawton Town Hall on Saturday, March 9.

The coffee morning and auction will run from 10am to 12 noon and will include a grand draw plus many stalls selling cakes/produce, cards, chutney, plants and even more.

Donations will also be appreciated for cake/produce stall, draw and silent auction.

£61,524 TO-DATE

This will be Ian’s 18th London Marathon and through sponsorship and fundraising and generous donations by many friends and family, Ian and Jayne have raised £61,524 to be exact (plus Gift Aid donations) for many local charities.

Ian was unsuccessful on the public ballot for the 2019 Virgin London Marathon but was offered the place by Hospice UK, which said: “We always have a space for you and Jayne!”

Ian adds: “I continue to feel very blessed that I have been given the health and strength to be able to run – maybe not now quite like an 18 year-old though!

“Equally, I am so very thankful that I can still use that ability to do my part to help charitable organisations to help others.

“Over my marathon years so far, the public has always been so kind.

“I have always been most grateful for the valued support of my chosen charities - I am genuinely humbled by the amount of money that has been raised.”

Hospice UK is the national charity for hospice care. HUK want to make sure everyone at the end of life has access to the best possible care. The charity supports the work of our local Children’s Hospice South West, Hospiscare (in Exeter), North Devon Hospice, Rowcroft (The Torbay and South Devon Hospice) and St Luke’s Hospice (Plymouth) as well as many other hospices across the UK. ?Hospice care changes lives. Hospices care for people with a wide range of conditions including cancer, motor neurone disease, cardio-vascular diseases, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Hospices are also increasingly supporting people with multiple life-limiting conditions including dementia. Hospice care is provided in a range of settings such as hospice inpatient units, as well in people’s own homes. ?Local charitable hospices need to raise £2.7 million every day from their local communities to fund the care they provide. Adults’ hospices in England receive on average a third of their funding from the government. Children’s hospices typically receive much less government funding, on average 15 per cent of their running costs.

HOW TO DONATE

Ian hopes that people will sponsor him via: www.justgiving.com/ianwebberlm2019 or donate by mobile telephone text message. Send a text to 70070: IANW81 with £ and the amount (eg. to donate £5, text IANW81 £5 to 70070 or text IANW81 £10 to 70070).

Alternatively, fill out a sponsor form which can be found at some local outlets or send a donation in the post to Ian Webber, Bramble Cottage, 2 Thorn Corner, Wembworthy, Chulmleigh, Devon, EX18 7SN.

Look out for Ian training for the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon on the roads around the Coldridge and Mid Devon area.

For further details telephone Ian on 01837 82540 or go along to the fundraising coffee morning and auction on March 9.