Utensa and Delfinware agent John Thompson is to run in this April's London Marathon in memory of a former member of the housewares industry.
Mr Thompson, who has been in the housewares and hardware trades since 1968, is dedicating the run to his old friend John Taylor, who died of motor neurone disease last November.

He too had been in the trade for over 40 years until his retirement in 2008. He was latterly south-eastern agent for Rayware, having previously been with Tableline, which became part of the Rayware Group.

Mr Thompson hopes his run will help raise funds for the Heart of Kent Hospice in Maidstone.

"John was well liked and respected in the trade and was known by many people," Mr Thompson told DIYWeek.net's sister site www.housewareslive.net.

He added that anyone wishing to make a donation could do so at http://www.justgiving.com/JohnEricThompson