A Surbiton hotel hosted a fundraising evening on Saturday, April 10, to help a businessman with his marathon bid.

Paul Stevens, who has done most of his six-month training in Richmond Park, was at Bosco Hotel and Lounge for a last-minute fundraising surge for Help the Hospices.

The evening raised £1,000, through raffles and donations, which will go towards his £2,000 fundraising target.

Mr Stevens said: “Now all I have to do is ensure that I finish the London Marathon in style to be able to tell all of my sponsors and contributors that my fundraising for Help the Hospices was worthwhile.

“The charity means a lot to me, because my mum passed away after a long illness six years ago and the last days of her life were spent in Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, in Farnham. The care and kindness she experienced from the hospice was incredible.”

On Sunday, he took part in Kingston’s Human Race 2010, with his friend Mike Clyne, and did a few extra miles at the end for added preparation.

Mr Clyne said: “It was the last long run before the London Marathon and now he is on a gradual wind-down, getting plenty of rest.

"Both of us were very pleased with how it went and now it’s a mixture of excitement, nerves and confidence before the real thing.”