People often organise a fund-raising event in memory of a loved one to benefit a favourite charity.

But Arron Blythe has done more than most as a tribute to his father, Kearsney Abbey park keeper Dick Blythe, who died suddenly last December.

He has organised a whole year of challenges – mainly for himself – leading up to the London Marathon next April.

“I decided to do this in memory of my dad,” said Arron. “For all who knew him I am sure they would agree he was a great man so I have decided to dedicate a year of hard work and training to raise money for the Cardiomyopathy Association charity.”

Aaron, 23, who works for a plumbing company in Dover, has already completed two 5k runs at Samphire Hoe, the British 10k London run, the Deal Dinosaur 10k, the Deal five-miler and the Royal Parks half-marathon last month, which took him two hours two minutes.

And all that by someone who only took up running less than six months ago.

He has also held a race night, which raised nearly £800, and an exercise bike challenge – in which people covered 700 miles in 12 hours, raising £960 – at the Hole In The Roof pub in Deal.

On December 1 he is taking part in the Alan Green memorial 10-mile run, followed by the Santa Run in London on December 8, and he is preparing for a bungee jump.

Arron, who is being supported by family and friends, had set himself a target of £6,000 but has already raised more than £5,200 so is planning to raise the target to at least £7,000.

More details of the charity at www.cardiomyopathy.org and donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/arron-blythe

Full story in today's Dover Mercury.