A DEDICATED Oldbury PE will pound the streets of London this weekend in aid of a West Midland hospital trust.

Elliot Browne is aiming to raise £1,500 for Your Trust Charity, which is run by Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust (SWBH).

The 30-year-old, who teaches at Bristnall Hall Academy even braved the ‘Beast from the East’ in pursuit of his goal, by continuing his training during the gruelling weather.

He said: “When you run, the only marathon you want to complete is London. When the opportunity to run for SWBH and raise some money for a great cause came up I couldn’t pass on it.

“It’s a lifetime ambition and it can now be ticked off my bucket list.”

He added: “Training over the winter months is challenging because not only do you have to get up at 4.30am in the dark to train before work, but the weather can be a massive factor,” he explained.

“I still managed to get out in the snow and the disruption from the ‘Beast from the East’ was minimal. I just wrapped up warm and ran routes along the main roads. I did wonder at times ‘why am I doing this? But the support everyone has been giving me is enough to focus my mind and get on with it.

“The whole Bristnall Hall Academy community prides itself on championing local causes, and is especially proud to have this amazing opportunity to support all the children of Sandwell and Birmingham who may have to use provisions provided by the Trust.

“The school is extremely fortunate to have both staff and students who are deeply passionate about making a positive contribution and a difference in the community they live and work in.”

Amanda Winwood, fundraising manager for Your Trust Charity, said: “We feel privileged to have Elliot running in such a prestigious event for us. He has been dedicated to his training from the very beginning, but also to fundraising for our charity.

“We wish him all the best and would urge people to sponsor him, so that they can help to enhance the experience our patients have when visiting our hospitals. We are very pleased to be the Academy’s chosen charity.”

It will only be the second marathon Elliot has taken part in – with Birmingham’s event last year being his first.

He said: “I used Birmingham as a bench mark to help create a training program for running the London marathon, but I’ve also run lots of half marathons and various distance runs over my running career so I’m pretty experienced.”

And what do his pupils think of his efforts?

“I think it surprises them when I tell them what time I get up to train and how far I run,” he laughed. “Hopefully the pupils see me as a good role model and some may want to either take up running or run the London Marathon in the future. My aim as a teacher is to be a role model and inspire pupils and hopefully this is what I’m doing.”

The London Marathon takes place on April 22nd. To sponsor Elliot go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BristnallHallAcademy