PR Guru Richard Swancott is to tackle a gruelling half marathon to help inspire the area's next generation of entrepreneurs.

The owner of Newcastle-based PR agency Richard Swancott Associates is also the Chairman of the North Staffordshire Area Board of Young Enterprise, and has signed up for the Congleton Half Marathon to help local schools participate in the charity's Company Programme.

Schools and colleges currently have to pay £750 to take part in the competition, and the 33-year-old is on a mission to reduce that and encourage more local teenagers to enter.

He said: "The price of entering the competition has put some schools off in the past and my aim is to bring that down as much as possible and ultimately make it free to enter.

"We've had some great support from local companies, like DHL, Keele Science Park, Alton Towers and Rydale Roofing, but as Chairman I felt it was my responsibility to chip in.

"I'm hoping to complete the race in under two hours and raise £2000 in the process, which would virtually pay for three schools or colleges to enter the competition."

Young Enterprise's Company Programme encourages young people to set up their own business and run it for a full academic year, giving them practical experience of product development, financial management and record-keeping, and sales and marketing.

Taking part can improve their career prospects as UCAS, the organisation which allocates university places, looks favourably on applicants with YE experience.

To sponsor Richard, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Swancott.

The Congleton Half Marathon, which is also known as the 'Sting in the Tail' race because of the steep finish, takes place on October 9th.