BUNGAY COUPLE RUNNING LONDON MARATHON FOR NORFOLK’S SIGHT LOSS CHARITY

A 76 year old Bungay man is to tackle the London Marathon to raise money for Norfolk’s sight loss charity – and his wife will be running with him too.

Tim Hirst, who is a fundraising ambassador for the Norfolk & Norwich Association for the Blind, and his wife Rachel, 54, will line up alongside around 40,000 other runners at the end of April to take on one of running’s toughest challenges – and is aiming to finish the 26.2 mile course in under 5½ hours – equivalent to a mile every 12½ minutes.

Mr and Mrs Hirst have raised over £30,000 for the charity over the years, taking on a number of challenges, the most recent of which was an attempt to climb the 22,837ft Mount Aconcagua in Argentina last year.

Mr and Mrs Hirst have only been running for three years, but this will be his second marathon and her tenth.

Mr Hirst said, “The oldest person ever to complete the London Marathon was 93, so I am a comparative spring chicken, but nevertheless it’s a big challenge.  I really hope the people of Norfolk will get behind me and help me raise money for a great organisation, which supports visually-impaired people throughout the county lead active, independent and fulfilled lives.”

Mrs Hirst will be running in her second London Marathon and is aiming for a time of less than five hours.

Anyone wishing to support the pair can do so by visiting http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/TeamHirst.