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CHARITY champion Tom Moore has completed a fundraising challenge that saw him tackle a marathon in the garden of his Lochwinnoch home.

Last week, The Gazette revealed how Tom had been inspired by his namesake Captain Tom Moore, who generated more than £30million for the NHS by completing 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by his 100th birthday.

When we last reported on 70-year-old Tom’s progress, he had already raised £6,000 for St Vincent’s Hospice, in Howwood – well beyond his original £500 target.

Now he’s closing in on £12,000 and is also keen to raise awareness of the work done at the hospice.

Tom, who wore a different costume each day as he completed the 26-mile distance over the course of a week, said: “We all deserve the right to die with dignity and for our closest relations and friends to be looked after professionally.

“I want as many people as possible to be aware of what St Vincent’s does and how well it does it. I also want awareness of the hospice movement and the part it plays in society.”

Tom’s wife Anne was a long-time volunteer for St Vincent’s Hospice before staff there cared for her in her final days.

He added: “People have been supporting St Vincent’s from all walks of life.”

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