MY name is David Wren and I am the Mayor of Swindon. I am making an appeal on behalf of the Swindon Mayor’s Charity Fund.

This year I am supporting five charities: Swindon 105.5 Community Radio; Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool; Swindon Guide Dogs for the Blind; Swindon Downs Syndrome Group and LEAVES mental health group.

All these groups are small and local to Swindon and as such struggle to raise funds, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

I want to make a call out there to everyone who is running in the Swindon Half Marathon on October 11 this year. If you are considering sponsorship for a charity, will you please consider supporting the Swindon Mayor’s Charity Fund.

Any competitors in the Swindon Half Marathon who sponsor the Mayor’s Charity Fund will be invited to a wine and finger buffet party later in the year, hosted by the mayor.

If you would like to be part of the mayor’s team please email the mayor at dwren@swindon.gov.uk for more information.

I will be at the event on October 11, so please come over and introduce yourself and here’s wishing all the competitors the very best of luck.

DAVID WREN Mayor of Swindon