THE Newport Now Business Improvement District has agreed to become one of the sponsors of next year’s Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon.

The event, due to take place on March 4 next year, is a major fundraising event for St David’s Hospice Care – raising thousands of pounds over the last five years.

All proceeds are used to support hospice services but, just as importantly, the event raises the profile of the city of Newport and brings together the local community.

Many local people volunteer to support the runners, and come out on to the streets of Newport to cheer them along the 13.1-mile route.

The Newport Now BID, which represents around 450 city centre businesses, is to sponsor a large screen for the event’s finishing line.

St David’s Hospice Care Fundraising Director Kris Broome said: “The local businesses in the city centre have always been very supportive of the event, and this sponsorship is fantastic news.

“It has long been our wish to feature a large screen so that spectators on the riverfront may see the runners coming into the finish.”

Newport Now BID manager Kevin Ward said: “BID members will be able to take advantage of free advertising on the big screen – and we think that will be a great way of promoting what the city centre has to offer to the thousands of visitors coming to Newport for the day.”