Lawyer pounds streets to help hospice

By Ben Schofield on Oct 28, 08 10:23 AM

THE head of a Liverpool law firm is lacing up his running shoes for charity.

Mark Shipley, managing director of intellectual property law specialists Shipley Solicitors, will be taking part in this year's New York Marathon to raise money for Claire House Children's Hospice.

The solicitor has bought his flight, accommodation and race fee himself, so every penny he raises will go direct to the Bebington charity.

Mr Shipley, 38, has been pounding the streets of Merseyside in preparation for the run next Sunday.

He said: "This is the first time I have ever run a marathon.

"But I've been training hard since the beginning of the summer, and am looking forward to the challenge and to raising money.

"I have two young children, so I realise how vital centres like Claire House are."

Claire House has been providing a service for children with life threatening or life- limiting conditions for almost 20 years.

It cares for more than 200 families in Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man.

It recently opened an office in Edmund Street, in Liverpool city centre, for the Hospice to Home Nurses, increasing the accessibility and co-ordination of services offered to families.

Mr Shipley, from West Kirby, hopes to raise £5,000.

TO SPONSOR him, click on http://www.just giving.com/markshipley