Richard Body, from Stourbridge, and Councillor for Dudley, is attempting the incredible challenge of taking on 12 marathons and one ultra-marathon in 2018 to raise funds for the Critical Care department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, where his dad is currently receiving treatment.

Richard, 52, went for a routine health check in June 2016, where he was told he was classed as obese and at high-risk of Type 2 Diabetes. At this point Richard was determined to lose weight and get as healthy as he could, so despite not having done any vigorous exercise since 1982, he started power-walking every day. Unfortunately for Richard, he was then diagnosed with stage-four osteoarthritis, causing him significant pain, especially during exercise. 

However, Richard wasn’t prepared to give up, and despite the pain, he powered through and one year on from the doctor dealing him that crushing blow, he ran his first marathon. Since then Richard has run five more marathons and a staggering 30 half-marathons!

Now, Richard is putting his efforts to a good cause and raising funds for the Critical Care Department at QEHB.

“My Dad is in Critical Care at the moment and I see the fantastic care they give him on a daily basis, and with my new found love for running I thought I could put it to good use. I have already done two marathons this year, and I am doing one in Cyprus in March and will be going all over the UK throughout the year.”

Rachel Learmonth, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB said: “This is an almighty challenge that Richard is taking on and I look forward to following his progress, and watching him meet his fundraising target!”

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