WITH just weeks to go, a Guisborough soldier is training hard to represent his country in the Commonwealth Games.

L Cpl Kevin Sheppard is competing in the 1500m and steeplechase events at the 2002 Games in Manchester at the end of July.

L Cpl Sheppard, 23, a supply controller with the Royal Logistic Corps, will swap his uniform and military duties for sports kit and the chance to compete for England.

He has been running competitively for two years and has represented the Army and the county and is now knocking on the door of the national team.

He says the Army encourages sport and fitness and he is getting funding from the Army Sports Lottery and a scholarship.

His wife, Claire, is also backing his bid for honours. "She is 100pc supportive and I couldn't do this without her," he said. "She comes to all the races and watches me train, which is good for my morale."

L Cpl Sheppard went to Guisborough's Laurence Jackson School before joining the Army five years ago. His parents, Maurice and Lynne, live in the town.

The Games will be the biggest multi-sport event ever staged in the UK, with record entries from 72 countries covering 17 sports.

Politics 'is

making life

better'

A REPORT on community politics in action is being launched by a Cleveland MP today.

The theme of Dr Ashok Kumar's parliamentary report will focus on how the Government's legislative programme for change is having an impact on communities, families and individuals.

And the MP has invited Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon and Redcar and Cleveland Council leader David Walsh to take part and give their views on how Government programmes work in their own areas.

Dr Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "There is a lot happening in my constituency.

"Government plans for such things as education and health are starting to make a difference to the quality of life and expectations of my constituents.

"Politics is not just about Westminster debates, but also about how policies are pursued at local level."

Dr Kumar intends to highlight some of these programmes in detail.

The launch of the parliamentary report is at the Langdon Square Community Centre in Coulby Newham at 9.45.

Chairman's

events help

good causes

TWO good causes are better off after a parish council chairman's year in office.

Next month, Coun Doreen Rudland will hand over cheques to the East Cleveland Hospital in Brotton and the North Skelton Day Centre.

Through two events while she was chairman of Skelton and Brotton Parish Council, Coun Rudland raised more than £870.

At a presentation at Skelton Civic Hall on July 17, she will hand over £355 to the hospital and £516 to the day centre.

"I am really pleased with the amount we raised," said Coun Rudland. "I think everyone did well."

The new chairman of the parish council is Coun Brian Briggs.

Inquest

adjourned

AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of a 34-year-old housewife. Tina Cockerill, of Seymour Hill Terrace, Loftus, was admitted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough on June 19 and died there the next day. Teesside Coroner's Court heard evidence of identification from her husband Reginald, 64, on Monday. Coroner Michael Sheffield adjourned the hearing for further inquiries