A PASTRY chef from Malmesbury will take part in one of the country’s most popular running events next month in memory of his partner’s grandfather.

Kris Biggs, 27, is training for the 13-mile Great North Run in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on September 13 to raise funds for the Malmesbury League of Friends.

He is running as a tribute to Stuart Lovett, of Malmesbury, who died at just 62 in 2003.

During his last few months Mr Lovett benefited from the support of the MLOF, which at the time paid for medical equipment not available under the NHS for use at the old Malmesbury Hospital.

Mr Biggs said: “Stuart’s widow Maureen has fond memories of the old hospital where her three children were born and from the support her late husband Stuart received from MLOF.

“So she actively encouraged me to name it as the nominated charity from my efforts in the Great North Run.”

Today the MLOF helps fund a wide range medical services for people in the Malmesbury area.

Chairman Robin Clark said: “We are extremely pleased that Kris has chosen us as the beneficiary of his efforts.

“The majority of our funds come from legacies, so it is most encouraging to receive support in this way from someone whose family has had such close associations with the old Malmesbury hospital.”