There may be several months of training to go, but one teenager is putting in the hours to make sure he is ready for next year’s London Marathon.

Joe Paternoster, 17, has set himself the challenge of taking on the epic race to raise money for the charity Young Epilepsy.

The Gravesend Grammar School pupil was diagnosed with the condition when he was 11 but now has it under control.

He has raised £1,237 so far for the UK charity with works exclusively on behalf of children and young people with the condition, but wants to raise more. His marathon target is £3,000 or more.

Joe, of Milton Hall Road, Gravesend, said: “I’m looking forward to the challenge and I’m motivated to do it for the charity. It’s something I’m proud of.

“It’s something that is massive. It is probably the biggest event I know and really exciting.”

Speaking of his diagnosis six years ago, he said: “I just randomly had a fit one day. I would have a fit every one or every few nights. My sleeping pattern was affected. There was one night where I had three fits.”

He is determined to live his life to the full, simply making a few changes so he can live with the condition rather than be ruled by it.

Joe said: “When I went out I would always have a friend with me. Learning to drive, I have to have a special licence. It’s just little things affect me day to day.

“When I had it, I was young and I was quite lucky because my tablets controlled it. I know kids who have tablets which doesn’t control their epilepsy.”

In the meantime, he is training hard for the 26 mile 385 yard race, which takes place on April 22.

To donate to Joe’s cause click here.