TWO gardeners from the Combermere Abbey estate have gone the full distance to raise funds for charity after they completed the London Marathon at the weekend.

Ben Bewley and Damian Mason, members of the gardening team at Combermere, successfully completed the famous race in aid of the estate’s chosen charity of the year, Together Trust.

Between them, Ben and Damian’s efforts have raised more than £1,000 for the charity and the pair are absolutely delighted they both completed the marathon and raised such a large amount.

“We’ve been working so hard in the lead-up to the marathon,” said Damian. “I’m incredibly proud of our efforts.”

Ben added: “I’m delighted that we’ve managed to raise so much for such an incredible cause.

“We’re looking forward to seeing what we can do throughout the rest of the year to raise even more.”

The pair have been training for months in order to raise money for the charity – chosen to celebrate the centenary of Combermere Abbey’s guardianship in the family – which was co-founded by current estate owner Sarah Callander Beckett’s great-great-grandfather Sir William Crossley more than 100 years ago.

The extraordinary charity continues to provide special education, residential services, fostering, family support and community services to young people and adults throughout the North West.

Kaylie Chapman, community and event fundraiser at Together Trust, praised the pair’s hard work in completing the event, as well as raising the £1,000 which will help towards the charity’s activities.

She said: “We’re thrilled with the amount Ben and Damian have raised for us and their dedication and effort to marathon training.

“What’s truly exceptional is how involved they’ve become with our work, everyone’s loved getting to know them.”

It is expected that further donations will continue to be raised throughout the year as part of events for the Abbey’s centenary celebrations.

Included in this will be a vintage car owners’ rally, an exclusive lunch with renowned interior designer Nina Campbell and the launch of a bespoke range of preserves and honeys inspired by estate produce, among others.

For more information on Combermere Abbey’s centenary events throughout 2019, visit www.combermereabbey.co.uk/whats-on