A Farnham man who completed his 150th marathon on his 60th birthday is hoping to give a £1,500 present to Phyliss Tuckwell Hospice.

John Applebee started marathon running in 1994 and hasn’t let anything stop him since completing the London course at the first attempt.

Not even Covid could slow him down as he ran the equivalent 2,200 laps around the lawn of his Badshot League garden.

He said: “I had my transplant in 1989 and I was told chemotherapy and radiotherapy would reduce my lung capacity so I was determined to prove them wrong by becoming fit.

“Actually I haven’t proved them wrong as it has always been down since the treatment but it doesn’t see to have affected my running.”

Over the years John has raised tens of thousands for charity but has recently turned his fundraising attentions to Phyllis Tuckwell.

He added: “I’ve never really counted as it has been for different organisations. But when I did my 100th marathon I think it was about £50,000.

“I was 24 when I was taken ill and I didn’t think I would get to 40. I never even thought about 60.

“But now I am thinking that if I can do ten marathons over the next year, then, given that my birthday will be on a Saturday in 2025 and there is bound to be a marathon on somewhere, I could do my 161st one on my 61st birthday!”

To donate via John’s page, visit www.justgiving.com/page/apples150