An army officer from Ashford is preparing to run five marathons in five days, despite never having run one before!

Tim Branchett, a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Corps, is taking on the 130-mile challenge in aid of special care baby charity Bliss.

Tim and wife Sarah’s baby, Amelia, weighed just 4lbs 14ozs when she was born eight weeks premature last year, and had to stay in hospital for two weeks.

Tim, who also has a son George, five, said: “I have never run a marathon before but wanted to do something special for a charity that is close to our family’s hearts after our daughter Amelia was born eight weeks early in Pembury Hospital.

"The care she received and the support given to us and other families in there was fantastic.”

"At the start of the year I was confident. I still am – but I’m starting to get more nervous.” - Tim Branchett

The 27-year-old will start the challenge on April 22 in Tidworth, and then run marathons in Winchester, Windsor and Ashford before finishing with the London Marathon on Sunday, April 26.

The fourth marathon, in Ashford, will end at Kennington Cricket Club, in Ulley Road, before their first game of the season.

He is currently running several times a week, and also walking dozens of miles with weights on his back as part of his army training.

He said: “At the start of the year I was confident. I still am – but I’m starting to get more nervous.”

Tim, from Repton Park, has set himself a target of raising £2,500 for Bliss, which is dedicated to ensuring that all babies born too soon, too small or too sick have the best possible chance of survival and of reaching their full potential.

To help boost his funds, he has organised a charity cricket tournament at the Stour Centre, in Tannery Lane, Ashford this Sunday from 10.30am to 7.30pm.

Teams set to play include Stowting, Wye, Mersham and Kennington.

Anyone is welcome to attend and support on the day.

To donate go here.