A WEST Linton man is aiming to complete a gruelling running challenge this month in aid of a worthy cause.

Joseph ‘Jez’ Ippolito 59, who is originally from Peebles, ran more than seven marathons last month and clocked up an incredible 538,988 steps.

And he is now hoping to surpass that in May by jogging the equivalent of eight marathons, along with his new puppy Ceili.

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Jez said: “I wasn't planning on doing such a strenuous workout in April but then I got to thinking I should have done it for the charity.

“Nevertheless it wasn't wasted for I reduced my weight by 14lbs. At one stage I was 15 stone but now I’m under 11 stone and aiming to get back to 10st7lb.

“I am now attempting eight marathon distances for May which is entitled Lavender May on my health app and I plan to do it for my chosen charity Hope for Children.

“Last year's fundraising effort saw the charity receive just under £600 from some of my own efforts through busking and generous donations from the public.

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“I am still aiming to raise £2,000 for the charity and plan to do so through a series of events, hopefully culminating in a half marathon, attempting it in under 145 minutes.

“Whilst running Desert April I had a bad fall and fractured my left elbow but I also had the good fortune of speaking with a landowner who offered me a failed sheepdog as a puppy.

“So I now have two dogs, Daisy and Ceili (Ceilidh). Daisy is an old lady now and too elderly for strenuous exercise, however Ceili is just a wee bundle of beans and he certainly knows how to keep me on my toes.”

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Hope for Children is an international charity working towards a world where every child has a happy childhood that sets them up for a positive future.

To donate visit Jez's JustGiving page.