SUE RYDER

Running for a cause close to his heart

ON YOUR MARKS: Mark Welch running in aid of Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice By CHARLOTTE KING cking@wokingham.today

A WOKINGHAM man has run 100km this month to support a nearby hospice.

Mark Welch, 34, started his 31-day ‘Ranuary’ challenge to raise money for Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.

With a friend working as a consultant in palliative medicine at the hospice, Mr Welch wanted to support a cause close to his heart.

“We’ve been friends since we were 11 and I know how incredibly hard he and his colleagues have been working during the coronavirus pandemic to support people at the end of their lives,” he said. “Sue Ryder is an amazing charity and their expert services are needed now more than ever.”

He said the inspiration for the challenge came from a similar goal last year.

“In September last year a few friends and I wanted to get more active and lose a bit of lockdown weight, so we challenged ourselves to run or walk 75km during the month,” he said.

“This month we wanted to do something similar, but we increased the challenge to 100km and I decided I’d like to add a charitable element for some extra motivation.

“Like many other people I have been working from home and running has helped me to get a change of scenery, some fresh air and generally feel good.

“It’s not always fun to get out in the cold and wet for a run but knowing that I’m doing it for such a good cause really keeps me going.”

Hannah Richards, community fundraiser at the hospice, thanked Mr Welch for his contribution.

She added: “The coronavirus pandemic is having a devastating impact on our funding and every pound raised by people like Mark helps us to continue to be there when it matters for local families.”

Mr Welch has reached his £500 target, and welcomes additional donations.

For more information, or to donate, visit: justgiving.com/ fundraising/Mark-Welchs100k-Ranuary

MORE ACTION is being taken to stop fly-tipping across the borough.

Last year, the council received £11,500 in fines, after launching it’s zero-tolerance approach. This is now being reinvested into enforcement action.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure said: “We are actively monitoring hot-spot areas, inspecting evidence and using CCTV to ensure we can take appropriate legal action against this unlawful activity.”

This includes setting-up earth bunds at Poperinghe Way in Arborfield, to stop vehicles driving on the grassed areas.

The council has installed CCTV on site, and along the A329, which is regularly targeted.

“We will continue to crack down on criminals who engage in the activity, but we need your help,” Cllr Batth added.

“We are asking all of our residents to support by disposing of their waste responsibly and to help us in keeping our borough clean and green.”

Residents who do not dispose of their household waste properly could be hit with a £4,000 fine.

To avoid this, residents should ensure any companies removing waste from their property has a license and is authorised to do so.

Residents can check this on the Environment Agency’s website or the Right Waste Right Place website.

Last month, the council issued two fixed penalty notices for flytipping, totalling £800.

And it has been successful in court, winning £1,000 against a man who illegally dumped a mattress in Hurst in 2018.

For more information about disposing of waste and recycling, visit the re3 website.

Retirement info event

AN INFORMATION event is to be held in Crowthrone next weekend for people looking to move into a retirement complex.

McCarthy Stone is offering socially-distanced one-to-one viewing of its Birch Place development.

Appointments have to be booked, and include an opportunity to explore one of the apartments and learn more about the facilities on offer.

Nicki Beswarick, Divisional Marketing Manager for McCarthy Stone Southern, said: “Birch Place offers a relaxed set-up of private apartments where homeowners can continue to make the most of their later years, surrounded in comfort and with like-minded individuals who are also enjoying an active retirement.”

The event takes place on Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6.

For more details, call 0800 310 0383 or visit mccarthyandstone. co.uk/birchplace