UPTON’S new mayor and his family will be joining in with a fund-raising run taking place at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground.

Councillor Paul Thomas has signed up for the Acorns Triple Run, an annual event that raises money for the Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The Triple Run offers participants a choice of three events - a half marathon, a five kilometre fun run and a wheelchair-friendly one-kilometre race known as the Chicken Run, designed specifically for people with special needs.

Coun Thomas will be running the 5km event with his wife Bev, daughters Amy, 12, Laura, 15, and Ellie, 22, as well as Ellie’s boyfriend John.

He has elected Acorns as one of his official charities for his mayoral term.

“We want to do all that we can to help local life-limited children and their families in need,” he said.

Coun Thomas will also help present awards at the Triple Run, which takes place on Sunday, June 7.

Acorns’ community fundraiser Sophie James said: “It’s brilliant that the Mayor of Upton is supporting us so quickly by joining The Triple Run.

“Its three-race format means everyone can enjoy it. It is a beautiful day, where runners know they are helping to support local children and their families in need.”