Local Life has a new editor at the helm this week with Richard Wood taking over from David Freezer.

Your weekly Evening News community life supplement has gone from strength to strength this year and as the new editor I will be looking to continue the hard work put in by David and our Local Life contributors in recent months.

Before David vacated the editor's chair however, he asked us to thank everyone who has helped towards the success of Local Life in his time and also make a cheeky charity appeal himself.

David will be running the City of Norwich Half Marathon at the end of November in order to raise money for the Squirrels Residential Short Breaks Service in Aylsham, where his little brother Harry stays for up to 30 days a year.

The Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust service has played a big part in the lives of David's family, who live in Horsford, and he is hoping his efforts will help to raise some money to support the service.

He said: 'My younger brother has had a very difficult time in life after being born with short bowel syndrome, leading to various problems in his development and 18, mostly major, operations.

'Despite all the difficulties he has been through - including being profoundly death - with his unique combination of conditions Harry is now doing very well at the age of 16 and has recently started a bespoke learning course at Easton College.

'However, due to the complexity of his different conditions, it is very difficult to get the necessary medical insurance and provision to take him on holiday outside of the UK.

'With the demanding amount of care that Harry needs as well, Squirrels gives my family, my mum in particular, a vital break which allows for holidays or a bit of time to relax.'

David, who turns 25 today, has run 10k and five-mile races in the past but is now in training for the first half-marathon of his life.

He added: 'Harry means the world to me and all my family - he is an inspiration for all that know him. He has been so brave and determined throughout his many hospital visits and general difficulties in life.

'The respite care provided by Squirrels is invaluable to helping us keep our family life normal and Harry really enjoys going there and going on days out with the lovely staff.

'They care for many more children and families in much tougher situations than us and make a big difference to the lives of the families they help.'

•If you would like to sponsor David's charity efforts visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidFreezer

•Are you raising money for charity? Call Local Life editor Richard Wood on 01603 772423 or email him on richard.wood@archant.co.uk