LOCAL runner, Ian Webber, who lives near Coldridge, is training for his 17th consecutive London Marathon, which will be taking place on Sunday, April 22.

This year, Ian will be raising money for Hospice UK.

Hospice UK is the national 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) 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 £1.9 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 17 per cent of their running costs.

Ian is always grateful for the support he receives.

To sponsor Ian this year, you can either visit his Justgiving fundraising page: http://www.justgiving.com/ianwebberlm2018 or send a donation to: Ian Webber, Bramble Cottage, 2 Thorn Corner, Near Wembworthy, Chulmleigh EX18 7SN. He can be contacted on 01837 82540.

SATURDAY COFFEE MORNING

Ian and his wife, Jayne and friends will also be holding a coffee morning and silent auction at North Tawton Town Hall on Saturday, April 7, from 10am to 11.45am – and will be pleased to see you.

There will be a grand draw, silent auction, cakes/produce, cards, chutney, plants and more.

The event was previously due to take place in March but had to be postponed because of the snow.

Alan Quick