RUNNER Chris Annis took the streets of Berlin to run his first ever marathon - and has donated his sponsorship money to help set a blind person free.

RUNNER Chris Annis took the streets of Berlin to run his first ever marathon - and has donated his sponsorship money to help set a blind person free.

Mr Annis, 31, of Ipswich, raised £879 from pounding the streets of the German capital to add to the Evening Star's Christmas appeal to raise £10,000 to pay for guide dog puppy Star's training.

“I am going to be running the London Marathon in April and some friends said they were taking part in the Berlin one and asked if I would like to join in as a warm up, just to see what running a marathon was like,” he said.

He did the run in four hours 21 minutes.

“I am having a little bit of a break and then will start preparing for the London run before Christmas,” he said.

Mr Annis works as an accountant for chartered accountants LB Group.

“The company is very charity-focussed and likes to help as many good causes as it can. I am heading up the launch of a Suffolk office and we thought it would be great to support a Suffolk charity and decided to help the Evening Star appeal,” he said.

“The work Guide Dogs do is fantastic and to see how a guide dog works is just amazing.”

Puppy walker Penny Parker, of the East and Mid Suffolk fundraising group of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and who is looking after little Star for her first year, thanked Mr Annis, who was sponsored by friends, family and colleagues.

“We really appreciate every donation, big or small - every penny will be spent on Star's training,” she said.

Has your family been helped by the Guide Dogs - tell us your stories about this amazing charity: write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk

HOW TO GET INVOLVED . . .

The aim is to raise £10,000 to help with the cost of Star's training - and we want the whole community to get involved with the appeal.

Every penny and pound will count and ensure that the little puppy get the best care and training as she is prepared to do the job of guiding someone who lives every day of their lives with the blight of blindness.

If you are organising a fundraising event for the appeal, then we want to hear so we can give it maximum publicity and help boost the amount raised.

So let us know what you are up to - get in touch with Richard Cornwell at the Felixstowe Newsdesk on 01394 284109 or the Ipswich Newsdesk on 01473 324788.

To donate to the appeal, please send cheques - made payable to the Guide Dogs - to Richard Cornwell, Evening Star, 172 Hamilton Road, Felixstowe, IP11 7DU.

People with coppers - 1p and 2p coins - can also drop them off at either the Felixstowe or Ipswich offices of the Evening Star.