After 30 years, David is one step away from his £50k marathon dream

When Kenilworth accountant David Phillips ran his first marathon in 1982, little did he know that three decades later he would have raised nearly £50,000 for charity and clock up for more than 400 runs.

The Claverdon resident told himself back then that he would run 400 marathons and raise £50,000 by 2012 - in time for the Olympics.

Although he is on marathon number 404, he is poised on £49,000 - so the final push is on.

Now the keen runner is preparing for the London Marathon on April 22 and is part of a team off 55 who hope to raise £100,000 this year for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

Although in the past Mr Phillips has helped other causes, this will be the 12th consecutive year he has raised money for the charity

The avid runner was inspired to help the cause by the courage and perseverance of Michael Watson, a former boxer who was severely brain damaged in a boxing match and who was the charity’s honorary marathon captain in 2003, as well as this year.

Mr Phillips said: “Michael nearly died after a boxing match and it was neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn, the founder of the charity, who is responsible for Michael still being with us.

“Michael achieved the impossible in 2003 by walking the London marathon in five days.

“The charity is very small but extremely personal and its work for people with brain and associated spinal problems is immense, but of course funds don’t come easily for them.

“So, the team of 55 of us are trying to raise £100,000 this year and, as I always say, we are just the conduits between the money and the charity.

“We do the hard work and well-wishers do the giving.

“All I can ask is that people support my goal by donating to my cause.”

His company, Phillips and Becker Ltd, is based in Accountancy House, 4 Priory Road, and Mr Phillips lives in Claverdon.

People can send a cheque to his offices made out to David Phillips Marathon Account, or pay into his account at 40/44/26 a/c 01157302, or online at his Just Giving site: www.justgiving.com/David-Phillips407