This time last year, various Pitshanger traders and residents alike were in the final stages of preparation for the second running of the Ealing Half Marathon and there was great excitement as the route was coming through Pitshanger Village for the first time.

One of those residents was Dave Wallis of Selby Road who afterwards described the convenience of the route passing close to his front door as giving him the opportunity for a comfort break and to feed the cat!

Sadly, as many of you will know, Dave passed away suddenly in January this year and his absence in the final preparation stages for this year’s event on Sunday 28^th September has been felt, not least in the exchanging of stories about training regimes, times and injuries.

Shortly after Dave passed away, John Martin came up with the idea of a £1 challenge to raise funds for the Wallis family nominated charity, British Heart Foundation, in memory of Dave - in the belief that if everyone who knew Dave (a long time PCA committee member and editor of its newsletter) donated this sum, there would be a substantial contribution to the charity. The idea has gained momentum and the traders on the Lane who have taken part in the previous two races with Dave are all now supporting this great cause.

John is joined by Fiona Kennedy of Pitshanger Bookshop and Phillip Arnold of Brendons, as well as members of the John Martin Estates team, for the event and you can donate your £1 (or more if you are feeling generous) via a Just Giving website  – www.justgiving.com/Fiona-Kennedy5  -  or at the donation points at John Martin Estates and Pitshanger Bookshop.

The day will not be the same without Dave but he will be with us traders in spirit and if you look out for the special T-shirts you will know who the mad fools are who choose to spend their Sunday morning running up and down the hills of Ealing, albeit in memory of a good friend and for a great cause.