Tom Gooding

Neil French, Lincoln Samaritans’ Marathon Man, raised £1,000 in the Edinburgh Marathon last year

The Samaritans in Lincoln are looking for a volunteer to run 26 miles for charity.

The Lincoln branch secured a place in next year’s Brighton Marathon, but its own Marathon Man, Neil French, is running the London Marathon so can’t take part.

They are hoping to find someone willing to step into the breach, so that they don’t lose out on the chance to raise much-needed funds.

The marathon takes place on April 15, 2012, and follows a relatively flat route, taking in the town and coastal roads and giving runners great views.

Anyone interested in taking up the place would need to raise a minimum of £1,000 in sponsorship. This will go directly to the Lincoln branch of the Samaritans to help it maintain its 24/7 helpline.

— Call Neil French on 01522 584682 if you can help

The domestic, recycling, and green waste bin collections set for Monday, December 26, will be made earlier over the Christmas period in Lincoln.

These collections will instead be made on Saturday, December 24, when bins need to be out by 7am, otherwise they may not be collected.

Residents can also recycle their festive waste, including paper and glass. Real Christmas trees can be put in the green bins if cut to size so that the lid closes.

Alternatively, kerbside tree collections will take place between January 9 and 21. All trees collected will be sent for composting.

Residents can leave their real Christmas tree at the kerbside on their normal black bin or purple bag collection day during these two weeks.

Caroline Pritchard, Community Services Manager at the City Council, said: “We’d like to encourage people to make the best use of their brown recycling bins over the festive season.

“Cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, unwanted Christmas cards, empty glass and plastic bottles and cans can all be recycled using this service.

“We’d be happy to take extra recycling, placed at the side of your brown bin, so long as it’s bagged and clearly marked as ‘recycling’.

“As always, we ask residents to have their bins out by 7am. This is particularly important during the holiday season, when collection times are likely to be different to usual. Waste presented after 7am may not be collected.”

Source: City of Lincoln Council | Photo: Ryan Cullen