It was worth the pain for teddy bear runner after the Mid Sussex Marathon

A runner from Haywards Heath who competed in the Mid Sussex Marathon with a giant teddy bear on his back said it was worth going through the pain to raise money for disadvantaged children.

By The Newsroom

Published 7th May 2014, 06:56 BST

John Alway plans to climb Mount Snowdon with the 180cm teddy on his back

John Alway, 41, completed events in East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill this weekend as part of his plan to run 101k in eight events to train for a trek to the summit of Mount Snowdon, all to raise money for Make-A-Wish UK and the NSPCC.

He said: “It was when I ran past the children’s play area in Victoria Park after the first five miles I was able to forget the pain I was in and remember why I was doing this.

“I was reminded that we live in such a great place and if I can raise just enough money to help one child to experience the same, it will all be worth it.”

Further donations can be made to the NSPCC at www.justgiving.com/JohnAlway or to Make-A-Wish at www.justgiving.com/JohnAlwaymakeawish