HAVING run 64 miles of the Great Wall of China last year, David Hill of Leominster is heading to London to run the marathon, a little over 26 miles, in four-and-a-half hours.

Home and abroad, his aim is the same - to raise funds for Acorns Children's Hospice, a cause still close to his heart almost five years after his son Stephen died just before his seventh birthday.

When he took on the China challenge, David's target was to raise £5,000 for Acorns. In tandem with mum Carol, who has organised bingo evenings, more than £10,000 has already been given to the charity and neither of them has any intention of stopping.

"Stephen spent a lot of time at Acorns in Selly Oak. Other places were offered but we didn't want to go anywhere else, they were so good," says David. "They are close to my heart and I want to help them as they helped me and my family."

While David runs for Acorns, Carol is busy organising her next prize bingo evening, which will take place on Thursday, April 28, at the Rainbow Club, Leominster. Eyes down at 8pm.

Anyone who would like to sponsor David's run in the London Marathon on April 17 can contact him c/o Carol and Russell Hill on 01568 612915 or via www.justgiving.com/4acorns.