The Hospice of the Good Shepherd is a very special place for many of us in the Chester area. The hospice has previously cared for several of my friends and family members in their final days.

Last year we lost a truly amazing friend, Dave Harrington-Wright, to thyroid cancer. Dave was a popular and much-loved cestrian in both the business and football worlds, a former chairman of Chester City FC, and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Not only did he support me, Joe and Damien to grow our business, but he also became extended family when he married our dear friend Yvonne in 2024. Dave spent his final days at the hospice, but had previously done so much to support the organisation after they cared for his previous wife, Fiona, in her final days several years ago.

I will be running the London Marathon in Dave's memory, and I hope everyone who knew and loved Dave, as well as all of my other friends and colleagues will help me raise £2500 for the Hospice of the Good Shepherd so they can keep doing the wonderful work they do for members of our community in some of the hardest times of their live.

The Hospice of the Good Shepherd provides its services free of charge to its patients and costs £5.4 million to run each year with just 17% of the funding we receive coming from statutory sources. The remaining 83% is raised from a range of fundraising activities and the support of our the generous local community in Cheshire. In addition, they raise money through their local charity shops and weekly lottery.