RIKKI Bennett, a member of Chagford-based Helpful Holidays' telephone team, has completed the 'Buy with Confidence Great West Run' and raised more than £1,000 for Exeter cancer charity Force.

Helpful Holidays sponsored Rikki to the tune of £500 and has donated a further £500 direct to the charity.

Rikki completed the half-marathon in 1 hour, 48 minutes and 46 seconds. Rikki decided to run in support of the Force, a charity close to his heart, following the loss of his mother to cancer last year.

Since then, Rikki has taken on many challenges and events to raise money and awareness for the charity. After the race he said: 'This is the first half-marathon I have ever run. It was tough but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I'm confident I can go on to record an even better time next year. I'm grateful to Moray at Helpful Holidays and all my colleagues and friends for their generous support that will go to a cause very dear to my family.'

Moray Bowater, general manager of Helpful Holidays, said: 'We're delighted to support Rikki and the charity, which does brilliant work in supporting cancer sufferers throughout Devon.'

Sarah Willocks, fundraising manager from Force, met Rikki and other members of the Helpful Holidays team on Tuesday and received a cheque for £500. Sarah said: 'We are tremendously grateful to Rikki for taking part in the Great West Run on behalf of Force. His determination and desire to succeed were enviable. We would also like to thank Helpful Holidays not only for their sponsorship of Rikki but their very generous additional cheque for £500 to support Force.'