He requires mobility equipment to do all the things that we take for granted every day - not that he ever lets this slow him down.

Newcastle Herald readers first met Spencer in 2016 when he started using a technique called Redcord therapy in an attempt to to train his neuromuscular system to get the muscles to start working again and develop strength. A year later, the Herald reported on how the generosity of strangers had gifted Spencer a special bicycle for Christmas.

This time around the "Little Wheelie", as he is known, has inspired his mother Terese Clarke - and friends Natalie Holt and Elise Jochinke - to run the London Marathon on April 26 for Whizz-Kidz. This charity enables disabled children and young people to lead fun, active and independent lives by providing mobility equipment, opportunities to meet and have fun, and training to gain skills for a brighter future.

To help the runners reach their goal, a fundraising luncheon is being held at The Junction Hotel this Saturday, February 22, and you're invited.

Australian Paralympic wheelchair racing athlete Christie Dawes is the guest speaker, and there will be wine tastings with Tamburlaine Organic Wines, candles by Scandle, raffles, a silent auction and mystery balloons. Tickets to the lunch are $65 which includes a two-course meal, a drink on arrival and a lucky door prize. Go to trybooking.com. All proceeds go to Whizz-Kidz and benefit children just like Spencer.

The fun kicks off at noon and tickets are available at trybooking.com.

The Captain & Crew is opening today at 68 Marks Point Road, Marks Point, at the site of the former Roberto's Wood Fired Pizza and an old general store.

Kristen and Tristan Combridge, who live at Murrays Beach, have spent the past 18 months bringing the "casual eatery" to life.

"We have four other businesses but this is our first venture into hospitality," Kristen told Food & Wine.

"Our backgrounds are in styling and fashion and interiors so we really wanted to bring a new element to east Lake Macquarie. We feel that the east side is often missed.

"We wanted to combine all of our strengths with the interiors and styling and creative direction into a joint hospitality venture. Tristan has got a very strong food background, with regards to business and management, and a lot of the creative direction is coming from me."

The menu has a "Middle Eastern and Moroccan spin" and local produce will be used as much as possible. Ingredients like hommus, preserves and aioli will all be made on-site.

"We will be serving an elevated brunch menu and share boards with really beautiful flavours and, down the track, we hope to have a liquor licence for brunch," Kristen said.

"We decided to do this back in December 2018.

"It's been exciting to bring an old dilapidated building back to life."

The Annual Epic Luncheon hosted by Hungerford Hill Wines returns to Muse restaurant on Saturday, June 27. It's a celebration of premium aged and new release Hungerford Hill wines and the best of Hunter Valley local produce with an emphasis on seasonality and quality in each of the five courses. Tickets are limited and are on sale now ($195) at stickytickets.com.au. Last year's luncheon covered all bases - amazing food and wine, a delightful winter setting, hilarious (and unexpected) entertainment and good company.

At Coal and Cedar, every Friday and Saturday night between 6pm and 9pm for the next month, there will be a Hot Dog Pop Up. There's The New Yorker, The Windy City, The Coney Island, The Bay Area and The Californian Vegan to choose from. All are $15, or $21 with a beer. Enough said.

Sprout Dining is hosting a vegan dinner paired with Tamburlaine Organic Wines at the Crown & Anchor Hotel on Friday, March 6. Autumn vegetables will feature on the three-course menu. Tickets cost $70 per person at booking.nowbookit.com.

The Cottage Cafe has opened at The Cottage in Scone for breakfast and brunch. Given that chef/owner Colin Selwood is behind this latest venture, it is definitely worth a visit. He has worked at Bistro Moncur, Eastbank, Bayswater Brasserie and Armstrong's, and ran Graze at The Willow Tree Inn prior to The Cottage.

The Trevor Drayton Scholarship committee has added a new award to its annual presentation.

This Sunday, February 23, at Carrington Place the inaugural Max Drayton Medal will be presented to Drayton's winemaker Edgar Vales.

The Drayton family's history in Hunter wine making dates back more than 160 years and in 2007 Max was announced one of the official Hunter Valley Legends of Wine. He passed away in 2017, aged 86.

"Not only was Max a legend in the Hunter industry, he was also a friend and mentor to many, so it seems fitting that this award, to be presented annually to someone making a dedicated contribution to the local industry, should bear his name," committee member Scott Webster said.

"Edgar is a self-taught winemaker with strong ties to the Hunter and as part of his award the foundation funded him to attend the prestigious Australian Wine Research Institute's Advance Wine Assessment Course in 2019."

A handful of tickets are still available for Sunday's luncheon. Tickets cost $90 and are available by phoning 4961 1116.

Recipe book Five Ingredient Vegan shows you how to cook a range of tasty meals using just five ingredients, all of which can be purchased from a supermarket.

Author Katy Beskow proves that vegan cooking doesn't have to be complicated, and organises the recipes into five chapters: Soups, Lunches, Suppers, Sweets and Basics. Try a rustic country lentil pottage served with fresh 3-Ingredient Beer Bread, indulge in Boston beans or savour the Santorini tomato fritters.

Five Ingredient Vegan is out now through Hardie Grant Publishing, RRP $39.99. Food & Wine has a copy to give away. To enter, send the word "Five Ingredient Vegan" with your name, address and number to freelunch@theherald.com.au. Entries close on Monday (24/2/2020) at 9am.