A Herald and Post reporter is swapping writing for running in memory of his late father-in-law and the East Hampshire charity that cared for him.

Paul Ferguson has asked readers for a helping hand as he will run the Southampton ABP Half-Marathon for the Rosemary Foundation on Sunday, April 6.

The 45-year-old chief reporter will run the 13-mile course in memory of Colin Anderson, his father-in-law from Liss Forest who passed away in early December.

He also wants to repay the Rosemary Foundation for the support and care the hospice-at-home charity gave to the family.

He said: “Colin was the best father-in-law I could ever ask for – he was so caring and generous and I’ve never known a man who spoke so much sense.

“He was also heavily involved in the Liss Heart Charity Trust that has installed defibrillators around the village.

“I’ve always known how amazing the Rosemary Foundation are as I’ve written countless stories about them, but that became even more apparent when their nurses started caring for Colin.

“I just had to do something for them and Colin.”

Paul is being supported by Everyone Active as he looks to double his previous best distance of six miles.

He’s been something of a fair-weather runner until recently but is now racking up the miles either on the Taro Centre treadmills or the lanes around East Hampshire – with a recent 11.2 mile run from Liss to Haslemere being an example of his progress.

He added: “Everyone Active set up a training programme and suggested what equipment I should use to build up strength and stamina.

“They’ve been brilliant in helping me, but it’s for a really good cause.”

If you would like to donate visit https://shorturl.at/wjqXT or look for Paul Ferguson Rosemary on www.justgiving.com