Dad's London Marathon run will help the RNLI

Jim Procter, who lives in Bowgreave, is raising money for the RNLI because he says he feels it doesn’t get enough recognition.

“These people are volunteers and the work they do is inspiring,” said Jim. “I wanted to do something to recognise how often they save lives.”

And Jim says his grandma was also a reason behind his choice of charity.

He said: “I always remember she collected lots of money for them and had lots of their stickers in her house. So I thought I could do the same and now I’m looking to raise £3,500.”

And despite saying he has almost been sporty, he admits the training for the marathon is getting tough.

“I’ve played a lot of rugby over the years and took up social running about five years ago,” Jim said. “I’ve done various 10ks and the Great North Run but my legs are getting sore with doing the further distances. The training is obviously quite hard but I started in around November and I’m getting to the 16 mile mark in my training so I’m slowly getting there.

“I’m not going to be breaking any records but I’d like to think I can get round in a respectable 4 hours 15 minutes.”

Jim is juggling his training around his home life, which includes his 8-year-old triplets, who all attend Garstang St Thomas’ School, and spending time with his wife Cathy, who owns The Dressing Room wedding dress shop on Garstang’s Market Place.

And as well as working as a chartered surveyor at Manchester company Workman LLP, Jim is hoping to hit his target before the marathon, which takes place on April 24.

So far he has raised £600 on his JustGiving page and says he’s really looking forward to the race after having watched it for years.

He said: “It has been a lifetime ambition to take part in the London marathon. I used to live in the city so I watched it for many years and since moving up here I have always followed it on TV. I want to give something back to the RNLI because they are 100 per cent charity funded and work as volunteers, showing amazing heroism considering what they have to do. If the money I raise can make their lives easier then it will have all been worth it so hopefully I can hit my target.”

To donate to Jim’s cause you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/jimprocter72/