Staff at local business Levy Associates are doing everything they can to ensure the first ever Herts 10k Challenge is a great success.

Because Levy Associates is sponsoring the run, its employees are showing their commitment by helping out on the day - either by donning their running shoes and taking part, raising as much money as they can for Grove House Hospice, or by marshalling along the 10 kilometre route. (6 miles)

Lawrence Levy is Managing Director of Levy Associates, a firm that specialises in recruiting high calibre staff for the IT and Pharmaceutical industries. He approached Grove House in the spring of 2006 with the idea of organising an annual 10K event, and has devoted a large amount of time and money to help make the day successful. Levy Associates work with a number of large organisations involved in oncology research and that's one of the reasons why they wanted to support the hospice. Lawrence said: "It's really important to the company and myself that we raise as much money as possible for Grove House. They do so much for the local community, and as a St.Albans based business owner, I want to do what I can to support them and to help them ensure their success for years to come."

Lawrence was even more determined to raise much-needed funds for the hospice after hearing that it's funding from the PCT was being cut by 25 per cent. Lawrence said: "We've worked hard to make sure that this event will be a really enjoyable day and look forward to the Herts 10K becoming an annual event for Hertfordshire. We want to encourage participants to raise as much sponsorship monies as possible, as by doing so we'll all help towards making up some of the shortfall created by the £50,000 cut in funding."

Chris Kenny-General Manager of Levy Associates has been working for the company for over five years and is really proud to be involved in supporting the Herts 10K Challenge. Chris said: "I think that it's fantastic that we are all getting involved in helping a local charity such as Grove House and I'm proud to be working with a company that takes its corporate responsibility so seriously, and I'm really looking forward to October 8th -which will be a great day for everyone taking part!"

The Herts 10K Challenge is taking place on Sunday 8th October and starts at 10:00am at the Rothamsted Experimental Station in Harpenden. All participants will get a race T-shirt and a medal, and registration costs £12. There will prizes for the individual and team who raise the most money, as well as a raffle for all runners who collect sponsorship. For more information please call Thomas Dyson on 01727 731010 or visit www.grove-house.org.uk/herts10k.