Huntingdon Gym coach Ben Howells is hoping to raise £2,000 for two charities by running the London Marathon.

Ben, of Lake Way, Stukeley Meadows, is running for the gym, which he says has been his second home for the last 30 years, as well as the Woodlands Cancer Centre at Hinchingbrooke Hospital, where his father has received treatment for the past six years following three bouts of cancer.

“I’m not a runner by any means and this is a first for me,” he said. “I’m now 38 and with 40 knocking at the door, I have set myself a bucket list and this is the first item. I have managed 19 miles and I keep notching up an extra mile every week.

“I have lived in Huntingdon all my life and I want to give something back. I wanted to support Woodlands for their incredible care of my father for the last six years. I also wanted to support where I work as it is where I have been a gymnast and a coach. I have dedicated myself to the gym.”

Ben wants to complete the marathon in under four hours.

INFORMATION: To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/Ben-Howells1.