THE Earl of Shaftesbury Nick Ashley-Cooper is opening the scenic park and grounds of his historic home to the public on May 27 to boost the coffers of causes close to his heart.

The Grand Shaftesbury Run at St Giles House in Wimborne St Giles will raise funds for the Daily Echo-backed Sparkle Appeal as well as the Wings for Life charity for people with spinal injuries and the Philip Green Memorial School.

The Earl broke his back in a horse riding accident but staged a remarkable recovery.

The Sparkle Appeal is just £150,000 away from its target of £2.8million to build a new hydrotherapy pool for young people with physical disabilities at Victoria Education Centre and Sports College in Branksome.

Sparkle appeal manager Diana Newbury said: “Every donation is vital to ensure the new pool is built before the current facilities fail. We are very grateful to the Earl of Shaftesbury for opening his beautiful estate to the public once more and supporting our cause.”

Sparkle can offer 25 free registration places for the half marathon and 25 free places for the 10km run in return for sponsorship.

Both start and finish at St Giles House and follow trails through Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs.

More details of how to register can be found online at grandshaftesburyrun.com, by phoning Diana Newbury on 01202 758309 or emailing dnewbury@victoria.poole.sch.uk