Sports stars support Ben in is fund raising runs. John Terry, Gary Cahill, Asmir Begovic and two Olympic gold medallists are just some of the people who have laced up their trainers and joined a Surrey teacher on his fundraising mission.

Ben Edwards has run at least two miles every day this year to support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and to honour the memory of his close friend, Greg Thomson, who sadly lost his battle with cancer in February.

“When Greg was ill I wanted to do something for The Royal Marsden because every time I visited him I was amazed by how hard the doctors and nurses work and how they care so much for all the patients,” says Ben.

“Losing Greg made me aware that cancer targets people of any age and it is affecting everyone. Most people either know someone who has suffered or have suffered themselves,” says Ben, a PE teacher.

So far, the father-of-two has clocked up more than 940 miles – the equivalent of 36 marathons – and aim is to reach 1,000 miles by New Year’s Eve.

He has ruined eight pairs of running shoes, run in six different countries and experienced all weather conditions, from blistering heat to pouring rain, sleet and snow.

During the year, more than 400 people have put on their trainers and joined Ben on his runs, including Olympic gold medallists Georgie Twigg and Giselle Ansley, Chelsea FC captain John Terry, teammates Gary Cahill and Asmir Begovic, Harlequins scrum-half Karl Dickson, plus football manager and pundit Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Ben’s final run will be on New Year’s Eve, starting at 11.30am at The Tilt in Cobham, Surrey, and finishing at a local pub fittingly known as ‘The Runner’.

Ben’s family and friends are inviting everyone to join him on the final run, either in person or virtually by posting their pictures to Ben’s Facebook page.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ben-Edwards-366-Challenge-905588262876763/ Just Giving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Ben-Edwards2016?

Based on information supplied by Jason Smith.