A runner from Kelsall is stepping up his gruelling training for this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon to raise cash for a first aid charity.

Greg Ashurst is fundraising for St John Ambulance in the lead-up to the big event on Sunday, April 24 when the charity will provide more than 1,000 first aiders to treat injured runners and spectators.

Greg, 24, said: “I ran a half marathon on Valentine’s Day this year but this is the first marathon I’ve done and I’ve had a bet with a mate that I can do it in under four hours!

“I work for Cavendish Nuclear and St John Ambulance is our charity partner. SJA volunteers do such important work, not just at public events like the marathon but also by teaching thousands of people life saving first aid each year.”

'Running for other people's lives'

In the 2015 London Marathon, more than 200 St John Ambulance runners raised more than £300,000 to support the charity’s lifesaving work.

St John Ambulance volunteers have been providing first aid for the London Marathon throughout the 35-year history of the race.

SJA’s head of fundraising Tegan Jones said: “Our runners receive a lot of support from us before, during and after the event and they get enormous satisfaction from knowing they’ll be quite literally running for other people’s lives.”

To sponsor Greg visit www.justgiving.com/GregAshurst .

If you are running the London Marathon this year, tell us your story by emailing cheshire.news@trinitymirror.com.