Ref. 71874-13A FITNESS enthusiast has run a mammoth marathon in memory of a boy killed in a car accident.

Garry Drewitt, 42, has been using up some Olympic spirit in a marathon run to raise cash as a tribute to Mitchell McCarthy.

Garry, of Welcombe Avenue, Park North ran 40 miles on a treadmill in nine hours at Cannons Health Club, Greenbridge to raise money in the name of the 10-year-old football fanatic who was killed in June after a car hit him as he crossed Queens Drive on his bicycle.

Garry took up the challenge with confidence working out at the club around five times a week.

He said: "I have known Mitchell's family for about 15 years and wanted to do something to help."

As a result he came up with the idea of a 40-mile treadmill run.

Describing the experience, Garry said: "The last eight miles have been really hard but I have had so much more support later on in the day than I did in the morning. It's been absolutely fantastic.

"Watching our athletes in Athens has really driven me on to do well here."

Garry alone raised some £300 and the total is expected to reach around £650.

Because Mitchell was such a huge football fan, money raised from the treadmill marathon will be donated to Swindon Town's Football in the Community fund.

The challenge was broken up into five sets of eight miles with breaks in between.

By 11am he was well over one-quarter of the way through, hoping to complete the epic challenge by 4pm and shortly after 2pm he had just eight miles to go.

Garry said: "I want to thank all of those who have given me support, particularly my boss who has provided £100 sponsorship and time off for training."

Anthony Osborne