A RUNNER in a nationwide relay is dedicating the money he raises to the Kemp Hospice appeal.

Bally Kooner, 37, will run 440 yards through Telford on July 19 as part of the Queen's Jubilee Baton Relay carrying the futuristic object that will arrive in Manchester for the start of the Commonwealth Games on July 25.

The silver baton has already travelled across the Commonwealth since the last games four years ago and it contains a message that the Queen will read out when she officially opens the event.

Mr Kooner, who runs Birchen Coppice Post Office in Kidderminster, hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the appeal through public donations.

"I've done 10-mile charity runs before so I should be alright!" he said.

Campaign manager John Fletcher said: "It's great that a national thing like this is helping us locally through his efforts."

Donations can be dropped in to the Post Office at 140 Walter Nash Road or sent to the Kemp Hospice Campaign Office, 58 Sutton Park Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6LF.