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)

© SOMERSET