A CREDITON company’s support for local cancer charity FORCE is set to top the £5,000 mark.

Ernest Jackson, which has been making medicated confectionery in the town for nearly 200 years, has held a series of fundraisers at its sites on the High Street and on the Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.

Profits from events including weekly cake sales, raffles, an annual auction of promises, a mile of pennies, collection boxes and sponsorship of the Crediton Crunch 10k challenge have combined to raise more than £4,500 already with other fundraising challenges still to come.

Ernest Jackson chose to support FORCE after canvassing employees about which charity the company should support.

“So many people said they would like money to go to a cancer charity and we always try to support local organisations,” said Mike Betts, Information Systems Service Delivery Manager for Ernest Jackson.

“Everyone knows someone affected by cancer and FORCE helped me at a very difficult time. It’s nice to be able to give money to a charity where you can see it making a difference and not feel the few bob we raise is just petty cash,” he added.

On March 19 three employees – Tom Conroy, Justin Offer and Nick Hocking – will be part of a 5,000-strong field competing in the Rock Solid endurance event in East Devon.

They will be cheered on at the South West’s largest obstacle race by colleagues Yasmin North, Joanna Chrzanowska and Andrew Stubbs, who are volunteering around the course at Escot Park on behalf of FORCE.

Ernest Jackson will also be supporting the Crediton Crunch again, this year scheduled for Sunday, May 1.

The popular Crediton Crunch running event is organised each year by Crediton Running Network.

It will have a completely new route this year.

Starting from QE Academy (Barnfield campus) the route will include footpaths and quiet country lanes to the south of the town.

One unusual feature will be the inclusion of a lap of the motocross circuit, Crediton Raceway!

The entry form and online entry can be found at: http://www.creditonrunningnetwork.co.uk/ .

The 2015 race, organised by the Crediton Running Network, attracted 190 entries and raised £1,748 for FORCE, which supports anyone locally affected by cancer.

On a visit to the Ernest Jackson factory, FORCE chief executive, Meriel Fishwick, said: “The amount raised will make a real difference to local people affected by cancer. All of our work continues to rely entirely on voluntary donations, so we are indebted to local firms and individuals who support us.”

Alan Quick