Exmouth fundraiser raises cash for school

A GARDEN centre worker who is no stranger to swapping his compost-filled boots for running shoes has presented a cheque to children from a Honiton-based school. Dave Stone, of Normandy Close, Exmouth, competed in this year s London Marathon and raised �10

A GARDEN centre worker who is no stranger to swapping his compost-filled boots for running shoes has presented a cheque to children from a Honiton-based school.

Dave Stone, of Normandy Close, Exmouth, competed in this year's London Marathon and raised �1015 for Millwater School.

The 39-year-old, who works at Kings Garden Centre, may not have been able to repeat the achievement of Kenyan athletes who have won and dominated the male race in recent years.

But Dave, who finished the 26 mile event in an impressive two hours, 46 minutes, proved to be a first-placed hit with pupils when he presented them with a cheque.

He has raised more than �10,000 for charities in the area in the last 12 years including Cancer UK, Leaukemia Care and Diabetes Care.

"I tried the marathon for the first time in 1999. It was such a great atmosphere that I have been down there every year since," said Dave.

The amount he achieved by running the marathon this year was double the �530 he managed to gather in 2008.

Richard Kind, Dave's employer, and owner of Kings Garden Centre on Hulmam Road, said: "I think the guy is absolutely brilliant.

"When you think he completed the London Marathon in around two hours 46 minutes - for an amateur who just jogs to work and back it is phenomenal.

"He came third out of all those who competed from the Devon and Cornwall area. It just goes to show how much effort he put into it.