A STOURBRIDGE dad is making a heartfelt plea for runners to help raise cash for seriously ill children.

Matt Greaves, whose nine-year-old daughter Jessica has cerebral palsy, is urging athletes of any age or ability to sign up for a Triple Run event to support Acorns Children’s Hospice.

The annual trio of races takes place at the Three Counties Showground in Malvern and includes the Malvern half marathon, a 5k spring fun run and the 1k Chicken Run, a wheelchair friendly course designed for people with disabilities or special needs.

Matt, aged 33, is running the half marathon while wife his Natalie and Jessica, who both nearly died due to complications during her birth, will be taking part in the Chicken Run.

Matt said: “Jessica’s face lights up when she sees the Acorns people, because she knows she’s going to be treated like a queen.

“Acorns take care of Jessica so that we can have respite, and time for ourselves.”

Kerrie Davies, events manager at Acorns, added: “It’s critical that as many people as possible sign up to help us reach our £35,000 target for this event.

“It cost £750 per day for each child’s care and Acorns relies on voluntary income for over 70 per cent of its funding, so events like the Triple Run are hugely important.”

The Triple Run takes place on Sunday May 29, for information visit www.acornstriplerun.org.uk, call 0844 984 0405, or email: triplerun@acorns.org.uk The deadline for entries is Friday May 13.