A GARDENER from the district who will run the London Marathon in aid of the Manorlands hospice this Spring has set himself a fundraising target of £1,750.

Steve Thorpe, of Prince Street, Haworth, will take part in the event for the first time on April 26 to raise cash for Sue Ryder Manorlands, in Oxenhope.

“It does give me a boost to go online and see that someone else is sponsoring me,” he said.

“People have made some very nice comments about what I am doing, and I have received sponsorship from people I do not even know.

“It hasn’t been easy getting outside to train in the snow, but I’ve still been managing it and I did a 13-mile run a couple of weeks ago. My legs were a bit tired afterwards but I didn’t feel too bad.”

Mr Thorpe, 51, said his effort was partly intended as a response to Manorlands’ “wonderful” treatment of his mother, who suffered from leukaemia and was looked after in the hospice during her final months.

People can visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/stevethegardener to sponsor Mr Thorpe online. They can also get in touch with him on 079696 58743 to offer donations.