A TAUNTON auto service centre employee is set to run 100 miles in celebration of the business’s 100th anniversary.

Hickleys began as a battery service in Billet Street, Taunton, in 1925.

Now, 100 years on, and several changes to the business, Hickleys is now one of the leading diagnostic and garage equipment specialists in the UK, operating out of its Taunton and Bridgwater sites.

As part of the centenary celebrations, Kieth Smalldon, Hickeys Auto Centre Taunton’s auto centre operations manager, will be running the Westcountry Ultra 100 to raise money for charity.

The challenge, which is taking place from May 10-11, is to run a 100-mile course over a period of 32 hours.

Keith will be running on behalf of Hickleys’ chosen cause for the year, The Beacon Cancer Care Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital, in Taunton.

The money will go to SURE which is an independent Somerset charity set up in 2000 to end the need for cancer patients to travel to Bristol to get treatment.

This was achieved when the Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton opened in May 2009, and the charity now help provide equipment for the Beacon Centre that is required to improve patient diagnosis, treatment and safety, which would not otherwise be available within NHS budgets, and thereby give cancer patients a greater chance of recovery.

So far, Keith and Hickleys have raised £1,305 of their £2,000 goal.

Robin Huish, Hickleys managing director, said: “The Beacon Centre provides incredible cancer care and treatment to the people of Somerset, and we hope that the spirit of celebrating our business milestone lifts people to raise money for this important charity.”

To find out more about the fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/keith-ultra100