FORMER champion athlete Steve Cram visited Beckton’s children’s hospice, Richard House, last week to find out more about the charity.

Steve took a tour of the hospice and met with staff and runners who are raising money for the charity in next year’s London Marathon.

Steve said: “I’ve always had a pretty positive view of children’s hospices, but after visiting Richard House that has definitely been reinforced. My visit really expressed the important role hospices play and what I realised today is how important it is for a community to play a part in supporting hospices.”

The visit was organised by Clydesdale Bank which is UK charity partner to Help the Hospices.

Steve, who is as famous now for his sports broadcasting as his world class running, was a guest at Clydesdale’s Canary Wharf Financial Solutions Centre and visited Richard House as part of his new ambassador role with the Bank.

Jacqui Atkinson, community affairs manager at Clydesdale Bank said: “Since our partnership with Help the Hospices started in Feb 2008, we have raised over �1.3 million including match funding from the bank and contributed over 3,000 volunteering hours, which has benefited 113 hospices across the UK. This is a fantastic achievement and testament to the importance our staff puts into giving back to their local communities.”

Richard House runner Victoria Poole said: “A friend of mine’s brother used to come to Richard House and passed away this year, so when I decided to run the London Marathon she suggested that I support the cause, and I thought it was perfect. After visiting the hospice and meeting Steve, I’m even gladder that I chose to support Richard House.”

To find out more about Richard House and how you can get involved please visit www.richardhouse.org.uk or call (020 7511 0222.