A MALVERN building contractor is really picking up the pace for the Hereford Half Marathon on Sunday, May 11. A team of 22 Speller Metcalfe and family members will be taking part in the 13.1 mile road race to support Hereford's St Michael’s Hospice, a record turnout for the firm based on Enigma Business Park and it's been in full training mode since January. Not only has the construction company pledged its support for the event, it is also working on-site at the hospice to build a new extension to provide a day hospice, support and education facilities for residents as well as accommodation.

Steve Beck, contracts manager for the project and also leading the group of runners alongside senior estimator Paul White, said: "We know how much the new accommodation will have a positive impact on current and future residents at St Michael’s, and we are trying to support the hospice in every way to make this a reality. One of own employees, Bob Shenton, sadly passed away at St Michael’s last year and so this project has a personal angle for our team, as we know how important the hospice is to both the patients and their families.”

Ruth Denison, head of fundraising at St Michael’s, said: "It was important to us that we found a local contractor for our new hospice in Herefordshire. The quality of workmanship has been outstanding and the level of engagement from everyone working on the redevelopment has been inspirational. Having a team of 22 enter our half marathon clearly shows just how much care and commitment the team at Speller Metcalfe have for their local hospice.”