Somerset supporter to raise money for the Ben Hollioake Memorial Trust

Somerset supporter Barney Spender is appealing for sponsors in his bid to raise money for the Ben Hollioake Memorial Trust.

The 39 year-old ,who was brought up in Kingsdon near Somerton, where he parents still live and writes for the Times, is to run the Athens Marathon on November 3 and hopes to raise £2,000 for the Trust which has been set up to commemorate the Surrey and England cricketer who was tragically killed in a car crash in Australia in March.

"Ben's death was a terrible tragedy not just for his family but for the whole cricketing community," said Spender. "I didn't know Ben personally but those I have spoken to who did have nothing but a warm regard for a young man who had tremendous cricketing potential. As someone who has mingled with the cricketing fraternity as a journalist for some 15 years now, I feel it is a right to do something to preserve that memory."

The Ben Hollioake Memorial Trust, which will be overseen by the Lords Taverners, will raise money for a number of projects such as aiding young cricketers, cancer research - something that was close to Ben's heart following his mother's fight against the disease - and animal welfare.

Anyone who would like to help Barney reach his goal of £2000 can send a donation to:
Barney Spender
Ben Hollioake Memorial Trust
11a Athenlay Road
Nunhead
London SE15 3EA
(cheques payable to Ben Hollioake Memorial Trust)