COLDRIDGE runner, Ian Webber is training for his 15th London Marathon, all 26.2 miles of it, which will take place on Sunday, April 24.

This year, Ian has chosen to raise money for the second year running, for Hospice UK (formally known as Help the Hospices).

Ian told the “Courier”: “I entered the ballot for 2016’s London Marathon when it opened. There was no ballot entry limit this year, so with 270,000 people applying, my odds of getting in were even slimmer than previous years! Sadly, once again I didn’t manage to get a guaranteed entry ballot space.

“It was decided to approach Hospice UK again for one of their charity spaces for two main reasons; firstly due to the great support received from their fundraising team through last year’s event. Secondly and more importantly, a continued wish to fundraise in 2016 for hospice care that would be able to encompass and support both adults and children.

“This is a cause very close to our hearts and sadly cancer has touched so many of our lives again this year.”

He explained that hospice care changes lives and said that a quarter of a million patients are cared for by hospices in the UK each year, either in a hospice or in their own home.

Ian said hospices need to raise more than £1 million per day to keep going, adding that Hospice UK is “the charity” for hospice care.

It supports the work of Children’s Hospice South West, Hospiscare (in Exeter), North Devon Hospice, Rowcroft (The Torbay and South Devon Hospice) and St Luke’s Hospice (Plymouth), which are all member hospices.

He added: “Last year’s ‘hoped for’ goal of running the London Marathon to reach the fundraising mark of £50,000 was achieved!

“During my previous 14 marathons, an incredible fundraising amount of money - £52,324 to be exact – has now been raised.

“I continue to feel very blessed that I have been given the health and strength to be able to run, even as I enter into a new Vet(eran) 45 running category! I am so very thankful that I can use that ability to do my part to help charitable organisations to help others.”

Ian said he is very grateful for the public support he has received for his chosen charities and is “humbled” at the amount of money that has been raised.

He said he hopes, people will again see fit to support him in whatever way, either through sponsorship or supporting a forthcoming fundraising event.

To sponsor Ian this year, you can either visit his fundraising page: www.justgiving.com/ianwebberlm2016 or send your donation to: Ian Webber, Bramble Cottage, 2 Thorn Corner, Nr Wembworthy, Chulmleigh EX18 7SN. (01837 82540). Cheques can be made payable to Hospice UK.

You can also donate by mobile text message. Send a text to 70070: include IWEB96 and the amount you wish to donate: £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 (e.g. if you wish to donate £10, text IWEB96 £10 to 70070).

You will then receive a text message receipt back, so that you can Gift Aid the donation (by filling in a web form or by text message). At this stage you can add your name and message, so that it appears on Ian’s Justgiving page, or please let him know and he will then know who to thank!

COFFEE MORNING

Ian, his wife, Jayne and family will also be holding a fundraising coffee morning at North Tawton Town Hall from 10am to 11.45am on Saturday, March 5.

It will include a grand draw, silent auction, cakes/produce, chutney, plants and more.

All are invited to attend.

Alan Quick