A DAD-OF-TWO took on a challenge to complete his first marathon with just ten weeks to train - all for one of St Helens' most cherished charities.
Describing himself as a weekly runner who likes to keep fit, Paul Middlehurst accepted his friend's marathon challenge last year, after admitting that he "didn't have an excuse not to do it".
Setting himself a gruelling ten-week training (and physio) programme, the Haydock dad also contacted St Helens' Teardrops charity prior to the event, in the hope of completing a personal milestone while also helping those less fortunate.
After speaking to Teardrops, which supports the homeless and people struggling with food and income insecurity, the 41-year-old said this gave him the added motivation to finish his first-ever marathon.
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Speaking about the challenge, Paul, also known as PJ, said: "Initially, I didn't believe I'd actually be able to finish this.
"I hadn't seen some of these friends for around 18 months and after I was challenged to do the marathon, I didn't have an excuse not to do it.
"I was having physio sessions to make sure that I could actually finish the race but I ended up rolling and tearing a tendon in my ankle on mile four.
"This affected my running style which ended up blowing my knee on mile twenty, so I was in agony for much of the race.
"But I told myself I had an hour of pain to get through, and I couldn't let down the people I was running for."
After setting an initial target of £500, in the hope of helping Teardrops feed one hundred people, Paul smashed through his initial target to raise a huge £1,610 for the charity.
Paul, a health and safety manager and amateur mixed martial arts trainer, added: "After speaking with Teardrops, I was shocked at how much support they provide to people and families struggling across St Helens.
"I'm not a millionaire so I thought the best I can do is push myself through some short-term pain to bring some positivity to others, and I am so grateful to everyone who donated."
For more information about Teardrops you can visit their website here and you can donate to the charity here.
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