Mayor to run 28 miles to and from meeting for charity

Ledbury mayor Phillip Howells will be running 28 miles for charity tomorrow from his home to and from a council meeting at Hereford’s Shirehall.

Councillor Howells, who has done hundreds of marathons, said he is not phased by the potential heavy downpours forecast for the county.

He said he will be tackling Marcle Ridge before making his way to Hereford through the lanes of Woolhope – it should take him around four hours each way.

“I ran in the Arctic circle at -40 degrees Celsius and at 40 degrees Celsius in the desert so I should be all right providing I wear the right clothes,” he said.

He added that wearing a tracksuit to a council meeting might raise a few eyebrows and that news of his endeavour has already caused a bit of a stir.

Councillor Howells has set himself an annual fundraising target of £5,000 and recently raised £225 at his first charity event, the Mayor’s Mile.

Another charity event, the annual Mayor’s Civic Service, will be held at St Michaels and All Angels Church in Ledbury at 3.00pm on October 13 with all collection proceeds also going to his nominated charities.

“The Mayor’s theme for the year is ‘youth’ and local youth will be well represented at the service,” he said.

The youth of the town nominated the charities which include Addaction Herefordshire, which offers information, advice and support for people with drug and alcohol issues every weekday.

Strong Young Minds is another charity he is backing which aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people in Herefordshire.

Coun Howells will also be donating to Amnesty International Hereford Group who campaign for human rights.

He said he was very grateful for the community organisations who are getting behind his charity events.

“Ledbury Swifts Football Club and Ledbury Rugby Football Club have offered event support and a number of local businesses and individuals generously donated sums to cover the costs of Mayor’s Mile medals so it did not come out of the event entries,” he said.

“Those thanks go to J B Gaynor & Son, MCG Clock Repairs, Wyebridge 2, Ledbury Books & Maps, Ledbury News, Gurney’s, John Goodwin, A W Parker, Clubsport Ledbury, Thornes, Tesco Stores Ledbury, Caroline Alexander, and councillor Helen l’Anson.”

All are invited and welcome to attend.

For more information or if you wish to donate please contact Angie Price, Town Clerk on 01531 632306 or via email at clerk@ledburytowncouncil.gov.uk