The chairman of the newly formed RNLI South and West Cornwall Event Group will run the London Marathon on April 28 to raise money for Falmouth RNLI.

Paul Wickes MBE set a target of £4,000 and currently a total of £3,250 has been reached.

He said: "My ambition is to raise £150 per mile by running the marathon and so far the amazing support I have received means that the first 22 miles are already covered. I am 58 years old and I have never run a marathon, but despite having arthritis in my lower spine and knees, I’m determined to help such a worthy cause.

"I am really pleased with the training. Having started from a position of no exercise in October last year I started walking 11 miles from Devoran to Portreath each weekend, then gradually introduced short runs to break the long-walk up. I then joined the Gym Project and I have been increasing my cardio workouts, exercising and stretching to strengthen my knees."

He was invited to join Falmouth Roadrunners for an additional mid-week local run and has shed 18 pounds in weight as a result of his training.

A couple of weeks ago he started running the Camel Trail between Padstow and Wadebridge with "Betty Stogs" who is running the London Marathon to raise funds for Children’s Hospice South West.

RNLI community fundraising manager James Clarke said: "It’s fantastic to have Paul involved with the South West Cornwall Events Group including of course his personal challenge of completing the London Marathon."