A 76-YEAR-old fundraiser, who has run more than 20,000 miles in his lifetime, will be taking on his 137th marathon in aid of two local charities.

Bob Hayler is lacing up his trainers for this year’s London Marathon on April 24, to raise money for the HOPE MS Centre in Neyland, and Shalom House, in St Davids.

Bob started running aged 45, after watching the London Marathon and thinking “I could have a go at that”.

Since then he has completed 136 races, covering more than 8,000 miles.

This year will be his 11th London Marathon, and Bob says the fantastic atmosphere on the day makes it one of his ‘top two’ locations, the other being Snowdonia.

He has also run in Europe, the USA, Canada, North Africa, and the Islands of Malta, Cyprus, Jersey and the Isle of Man.

Bob will be starting this year’s race from the ‘celebrities’ start point, and having completed a marathon last year in under five hours is classified as ‘good for age’, he says.

“It is getting harder each time now so takes me nearer five and a half hours to finish,” said Bob, who is anticipating this will be his last marathon.

Bob picked HOPE MS Centre, as his first wife – who sadly died from cancer in 1999 – had the condition.

Bob’s sister-in-law and her husband, Ken and Liz Brombley, are also heavily involved the running of the centre, which helps people with multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s and stroke.

Shalom House, who will also benefit from his fundraising, offers palliative care to those with life-limiting diseases.

Said Bob: “Watch out for me, I will be wearing a white T-shirt with BOB 4 Pembs MS on the back.”

“I am sure all monies raised will be a Godsend to these two worthwhile charities,” said Bob.

Bob has already raised £245, but to donate, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/pembrokeshiremstherapycentre.co.uk.

Bob’s race number, for those who want to track his progress, will be 27568.