Dad to run hundreds of laps around the block for Portsmouth charity

Teacher Mark Miller, 40, is taking part in the Virgin 2.6 challenge by running 26 miles around his home.

The dad-of-three is raising money for Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association and Southampton Hospitals Charity.

A keen runner, Mark will be motivated by his children, who will be cheering him on throughout the day.

He said: ‘My middle child, Jack, has Down’s syndrome himself; I was fundraising for PDSA long before he was born, but am even more motivated to do so now because of the service he's received.

‘I’ve decided to do this at the last minute though, so even though I’m quite a keen runner I’m not as prepared as I’ve been for things in the past – but I wanted to do my bit.’

Mark will be running around the block in Southampton a whopping 750 times to complete the marathon distance.

Teaching biology and psychology and King Edward VI School in Southampton, Mark’s usual early starts for work means he gets up even earlier to train.

‘I’ve been getting up for morning runs at 5am recently,' he said.

‘It means there’s not as many people about. But it’s brilliant that there’s so many people doing these things for charities this weekend.

‘Everyone is finding something to do – I’m excited but a little nervous because I’ve never done anything quite like this before.’

To donate to Mark go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkMiller3.