IT’S ready, steady, go for a mayor who has beaten the deadline to enter a children’s hospice triple run.

The Mayor of Upton-upon-Severn Paul Thomas and his family have joined the Acorns Triple Run, the annual fund-raiser for Acorns Children’s Hospice, Bath Road, Worcester.

Coun Thomas and his wife and children beat Sunday’s closing date for entries and are in training to run the 5km race within the event – part of which goes through his area.

The mayor, who lives in Malvern near the Three Counties Showground where the event will be held, decided to support Acorns for his mayoral term.

Coun Thomas, whose team includes daughters Amy, aged 12, Laura, 15, Ellie, 22, and her boyfriend John, said: “My wife Bev is a school secretary. We want to do all we can to help local life-limited children and their families.” Coun Thomas will also be helping to present awards at the fun run that has drawn entrants from all over the country.

The Triple Run, now in its fourth year, will be held on Sunday, June 7.

Its three-race format embraces all abilities: a half marathon (accredited by Worcester Athletic Club), a 5km fun run and a wheelchair-friendly 1km race called the Chicken Run (supported by Aardman Animations) for people with special needs.

There is also a host of challenges for participants to sign up to, including the Schools Challenge, College Challenge, Corporate Challenge and Club Challenge, whereby teams’ overall times can see them the winner.

Sophie James, Acorns’ Worcestershire community fund-raiser, said: “It’s brilliant that the mayor of Upton is supporting us so quickly.”

Funds are needed to support the Acorns’ Fragile Lives Appeal that aims to protect local hospice services for the future.