A Falmouth family and owners of local institution the Cavendish Coffee House took on a marathon feat in Athens, in memory of a much-loved family member.

Ian Williams ran his 50th marathon and Ian’s wife ran her first (and last) in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association and between them, with the help of customers from the Cavendish Coffee House, they raised £5,000.

Ian said: “We still can’t quite get over the way people have come together over our story and this particularly debilitating disease.

"We are genuinely overwhelmed by the way that people have responded.”

The family have set themselves a new challenge for the festive period and one which they feel may be a little closer to home for people this Christmas.

“We are asking people who may be in a position to donate money to help us purchase some new top quality sleeping bags for people who may need them,” said Ian.

“It’s been particularly cold and wet over recent weeks and if we can raise enough money to buy 30 sleeping bags, then we’ll all be able to sleep a little easier at night.”

Nicola Hammond from the Salvation Army was thrilled by the positive and generous response from the Cavendish Coffee House customers when she called in on Saturday to pick up the first 10 sleeping bags.

Jade Osbon, from the Cavendish Coffee House, said: “This is what Christmas should be about.”