RUNNERS of all ages and abilities can now sign up to take part in one of the county’s biggest and most popular fund-raising events.

The Acorns Triple Run will be back at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground on Sunday, June 24, offering participants the usual choice of a demanding half-marathon, a five-kilometre fun run or a wheelchair-friendly one-kilometre route.

As registration opened this week, one of the first to sign up was Tony Williams, who will be running in a special coat decorated with hundreds of ribbons carrying good wishes from children, staff and volunteers at Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Mr Williams, a maintenance engineer at the hospice, runs the 5km route every year in fancy dress, with his previous outfits having included a chicken, an acorn and a coiled spring.

Kerrie Davies, Acorns’ events manager, said: “Tony’s fancy dress this year is very special as the children and everyone at the hospice have spent time adding their own magical touch to his costume, giving Tony their full support. The Triple Run is a key event in our fund-raising year and Tony has always been a fantastic support in helping us raise vital money.” She said the route for this year’s half-marathon has been tweaked to cut out the “dreaded” Guarlford mile straight and instead take runners along a more scenic route.

For more information, visit acorns.org.uk/triplerun, call 0844 9840405 or e-mail events@acorns.org.uk