A Whitby High School maths teacher is hoping to impress his Year 7 form this year by completing the Virgin Money London Marathon this year.

John Broad, whose wife Tanya is expecting their second child just three-weeks after the race date of Sunday, April 16, took up running two years ago by taking part in the Chester Half Marathon for the British Heart Foundation.

The 32-year-old, who has just bought the Great Sutton home he grew up in, said: “May 2014 marked the 15-year anniversary of my father’s death of a severe heart attack (his second), so I wanted to mark the occasion in some way. I was overwhelmed with the response, having set a relatively low target of £190 - my dad enjoyed golf so it was £10 for every hole, including his favourite 19th!.

“My mum immediately sponsored me £190 and I went on to raise £905 which was incredible.”

John completed the half marathon in 2:09, having broken his toe four weeks prior to the race.

"Chuffed"

He added: “My target was 2:15 so I was chuffed. I got the running bug and ran the Sport in the Port 10K, then the Wirral Half Marathon for a friend’s charity the Emily Ffion Trust. I have also completed Hellrunner twice for the same charity, and attend an annual charity ball to show my support. “

In 2015 John completed four half marathons and the Mersey tunnel 10k.

John, dad to Sophie, two, said: “I decided I was ready for the big one so entered the ballot for London as I would have preferred not having the pressure of a minimum fundraising amount. Unfortunately I was not successful in the ballot so I looked up charities I may like to run in support of.

“This is where The Prince’s Trust comes in. Doing the job I do we see young people from such a vast range of different backgrounds and home circumstances. The work that the trust does to help young people who are disadvantaged because of a number of these reasons is amazing.

“There are children living right here in Ellesmere Port and Cheshire West who are just like the young people the trust helps. I am immensely proud to be a high school teacher and I love being around young people, hoping I make a difference to their lives in a positive way.”

If you are running the London Marathon this year for charity, let us know in the comments below: