Stewart Purvis To Run For The Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund

Stewart Purvis, the former Chief Executive of ITN and Ofcom regulator, is to compete in the Great North Run for the Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund, an appeal set-up by the Royal Television and Media Societies in memory of Steve Hewlett.

Stewart decided to run earlier this month on the day that would have been Steve's 59th birthday. He said: "It seemed the perfect moment to confirm I was going to do it. I have shaken off a few injuries, which I picked-up during training and I will definitely get round the half marathon course."

Steve, the highly respected, award-winning presenter, reporter and columnist died earlier this year after a 12 month encounter with cancer of the oesophagus, charted through his interviews with Eddie Mair on Radio Four and articles in The Observer.

The Steve Hewlett Memorial Fund will provide a scholarship initiative for young people from low income households studying broadcast journalism along with other associated activities to support Steve Hewlett's legacy. All the major broadcasters have backed the appeal.

Clive Jones, who chairs the appeal, said: "We have already raised more than £20,000 and we are looking to Stewart's sponsored run, together with a major event at the Edinburgh International Television Festival and the first Steve Hewlett Memorial Lecture, which Nick Robinson will give at the University of Westminster on 28 September, to attract many more donations and help many more students follow in Steve's journalistic footsteps."

Steve's wife, Rachel, added: "I am deeply touched and grateful to Stewart for running in support of the Steve Hewlett Memorial fund. Steve was always so willing to spend time helping others within the industry, especially when it came to encouraging young talent. I know he would be chuffed that so many of his friends and colleagues have come together to establish this fund in his name. Any donation will go towards making sure that Steve's passion continues to inspire and support young journalists for many years to come. Good luck Stewart!"

You can sponsor Stewart in his run by going to his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/thestevehewlettmemorialfund; by donating direct via www.rts.org.uk/SteveHewlettFund or through bank account number 32510047 with the sort code 60-40-04.