A Cullingworth school governor who is in the running for election as a local MP will be involved in a race of a different kind at the weekend.

David Senior, the prospective conservative candidate for Shipley, will be taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday to provide primary school youngsters with information about the dangers of Drugs.

The 41-year-old, who is a governor at Parkside Middle School, is running in the gruelling 26 mile challenge in support of the Life Skills Programme, run by the Lions Club.

David explains: "The Lions are running a £5,000 appeal which aims to give local schools a package of curriculum-linked classroom resources, plus a series of one-day workshops during which teachers will explore how to help pupils understand the dangers associated with drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuse.

"The aim is to put materials into the 10 and 11-year-old age groups first, as these pupils will be moving to new schools and will be most at risk from influence by older pupils.

"If sufficient money can be raised it will be cascaded upwards through local upper schools and across the Shipley constituency.

"Drugs are ruining thousands of young lives and communities are paying a heavy price through drug related crime.

"The Life Skills Programme is a real investment in our young people and I hope readers will give as generously as they can."

Baildon-based David ran the marathon in 1996 and 1997 and has been in training in his prospective constituency, which includes Denholme and Culling-worth.

He will be joined on Sunday by partner Kate, who will be on hand to provide him with support and vital refreshments.

He adds: "It's always a tremendous experience to take part in the marathon and I'm delighted to be doing it for a charity in my local constituency."

As chief executive of JC2000, the millennium arts festival for schools, David has also helped raise £1 million to enable 18,000 schools celebrate the Christian meaning of the millennium.

Anyone wishing to support the appeal can send cheques, payable to Shipley Lions, to David Senior Marathon, c/o 20 Halifax Road, Cullingworth, BD13 5DE.

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