Can you help Steve with marathon effort for Hartlepool?

With less than a month to go before this year’s Virgin London Marathon on April 24, Steve Callaghan is celebrating having smashed his fundraising total in aid of Hartlepool & District Hospice.

Steve, who is preparing to run in memory of his mother Jo and father in law Peter, initially pledged to raise £2,000 for the charity but has already exceeded £3,500 after being sponsored by friends and family; a number of local businesses have also donated £200 to become shirt sponsors on the day.

The companies who have sponsored Steve are Acorn Landscapes, United Carlton, Peart Fencing, Exwold Technology, Wearside Contractors and J.T. Atkinson. Steve and the Hospice would like to express sincere thanks to these businesses as well as all of his other supporters who have helped him exceed his target.

Steve said: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of my supporters, who have really motivated me in my training and helped to raise such a fantastic amount for a very worthy local charity. Special thanks to all my shirt sponsors for giving my total such a boost.”

Greg Hildreth, a fundraiser at the Hospice added “We have seen such remarkable support for Steve’s challenge and I would like to thank him and all of his sponsors for what they have done so far.

“It is great to see Steve’s total continue to grow and on behalf of everyone at the Hospice, I would like to wish him all the best for the Marathon. All of the money Steve raises will be used to fund our specialist patient care services.”

People can still sponsor Steve by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/StevenCallaghan

Hartlepool & District Hospice, based in Wells Avenue, Hartlepool, is a registered charity.

It costs £2.34 million to continue providing the current range of services. The Hospice receives 24% per cent NHS funding so the outstanding £1,780,000 must be raised through the local community and other fundraising initiatives.