Charity/voluntary

A FATHER whose determination to ditch the pub culture and get fit is preparing to spend the Winter training for a half marathon.

Mervyn Dunkley, 31, of Colham Avenue, West Drayton, is going to take on the Reading half marathon in March to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Always a fan of long distance cross country running in his school days, Mr Dunkley admitted he had fallen out of love with it, until he was inspired when his wife completed a Race for Life challenge in July.

A PUB landlady has been hailed as the driving force behind a scheme to send hundreds of pounds worth of gifts to soldiers fighting in Afghanistan.

Debbie Power, 31, who runs The King William IV, in Sipson Road, Sipson, came up with the idea after one of her regulars, Luke Wilson, was posted to Helmand province with the Royal Engineers in September.

The Middlesex Federation of W.I is holding an Open day on Saturday 7th November from 10am - 2pm.

Please come and join CLAD for a candlelit vigil to commemorate the lives of the fallen from WW2 on Remembrance Sunday 8th November from 5pm at Cherry Tree Lane Cemetery. For more information visit www.cherrylane.org.uk or call 07961 547 660.

THE Hillingdon Foodbank made their first visit to a school this week and are making a second tomorrow- (Wednesday)

A VET is running a balloon race which gives participants the chance to win £100 and help a worthy cause at the same time.

St Martin's Veterinary Clinic, in Station Road, West Drayton, is hosting the balloon race to raise money for VetAid, a charity that provides animal care to traditional farmers in Africa.

A STAGGERING £907 was raised for charity at a fancy dress 'Tarts and Vicars' party.

ONGOING work to renovate a historic scout hut is coming along nicely- thanks to a new lick of paint.

Work to improve the 2nd West Drayton Scout Hut in Rowan Road, West Drayton received a boost when a paint company donated their materials.

TWO Multiple Sclerosis sufferers are planning to hold a fun-filled fancy dress party to raise money for charity.

A date of August 29 has been set for the party, at the Fox and Pheasant, in Station Road, West Drayton.

A PRIMARY school teacher is running the London Marathon in memory of her partner who passed away.

Jennifer Livesey, 23, has taught at West Drayton Primary School, in Kingston Lane, since September, and is combining educating the youngsters with a heavy training schedule for the 26.2 mile run.

She said: "I've been training for a while now, I need to raise £3,000 and I'm running it in memory of my boyfriend who died suddenly.

"I am raising money for the Cardiac Risk in the Young."

If you would like to sponsor Jennifer visit justgiving.com/liveseygirls