A CHARITY event held in Worcestershire has gained notice from very far afield.

A Japanese company is sponsoring this year's Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10k road race and one-mile Fun Run after hearing that half of the proceeds will be donated to Acorns Children's Hospice.

Takuya Nomiyama, owner of HIJ Corporation, Japan, which is based in Tokyo and helps British companies to sell their products in Japan, was told about the event by co-organiser Roger Bewley, who has previously worked him.

Mr Nomiyama has donated £300 to help cover the cost of staging the race, which got its name from the fact that runners pass by Huddington Court, near Droitwich. It is the home of the Wintours, who were involved in the plot to blow up James I and the House of Commons on November 5, 1605.

Other supporters and sponsors include Crowle resident, Nick Green, who runs Green-Line Vehicle Rental, in Worcester. Physiotherapist Sarah Collier-Smith and sports injury clinic owner, Jenny Smith, will also be at the event for a second year running to offer any advice to runners.

"The generosity of local and not-so-local businesses has been very heartening," said co-organiser Fizz Bewley, who is Roger's wife. "Everyone connected with the event is most grateful to them, since every pound they are pledging will be split equally between Acorns and Crowle's playing field."

Entry forms for the two charity runs, on Sunday, May 1, can be downloaded from www.crowle-online.co.uk, or obtained from Crowle Post Office, or by calling Fizz Bewley on 01905 381080.