Teacher's tribute to Stevenage grandfather

A TEACHER is running in a half-marathon to raise money for a charity in memory of her grandfather who died in March this year. Victoria Courtney, 25, is hoping to raise �100 to support pulmonary and respiratory care at Lister in Stevenage, in gratitude of

A TEACHER is running in a half-marathon to raise money for a charity in memory of her grandfather who died in March this year.

Victoria Courtney, 25, is hoping to raise �100 to support pulmonary and respiratory care at Lister in Stevenage, in gratitude of the care her grandfather, Donald Weston, received at the hospital.

Mr Weston contracted pneumonia and died from lung failure, aged 76.

The Donald Weston Nightingale Fund was set up by the family. A Nightingale Fund, which can be set up through Lister, enables people to raise funds for the hospital in memory of a loved one.

Victoria, a former pupil at The Nobel School in Stevenage, said: "One of the main reasons we set a fund up was because we so appreciated the quality of care my granddad was given at Lister."

Currently a German and French teacher in Exeter, Victoria is taking part in the Reebok Bristol Half-Marathon on Sunday (SUBS: SEPT 6).

She explained: "This is my third half-marathon, but it is the first I will run all the way. I have been training a lot harder for this one and I'm hoping to do it in about two hours and 10 minutes.

"I thought it was a nice thing to do in his memory."

Mr Weston, who lived in Pankhurst Crescent in Stevenage, sang in the post office club.

His daughter, Donna Courtney, said: "A lot of people knew him and he loved people. He would talk to anyone, and give anyone the time of day."

To sponsor Victoria, visit www.justgiving.com/vickicourtney

If you would like to set up a Nightingale Fund in memory of a loved one, call Suzanne Roynon on 01438 781620 or 07990641770 or email her at info@enhanceherts.org