TAVISTOCK School pupil Joshua Townshend ran six miles around Tavistock Meadows to raise money for 'Hugs for Henry' and Cancer Research UK.

Josh, aged 9, said: 'I heard my mum talking about Henry, a little boy who was very poorly with cancer and who was in and out of hospital a lot. She told me about his charity "Hugs for Henry" where people were raising money to help him and I decided to try to help.'

As part of a school task he decided to run around the Meadows and made posters and banners to advertise it. Dartmoor Photographics kindly gave him a T-shirt to wear and sponsored him.

After the run Josh gave a talk to his fellow pupils and a pot was left at the school office for donations.

He added: 'On the day I was very nervous, but luckily I had some support from a couple of my friends who ran with me and also our local running hero Adam Holland. Although it was hard, I was determined to finish it so I could raise money for Henry.'

Josh completed the run in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 24 seconds and went beyond his target of £150 to raise a splendid £345.