AN 80-year-old grandad from Southcote is planning to run 150 miles to raise money for some of the world’s poorest people.

Retired public speaker Jim Ewan aims to run five miles a day, over 30 days, to raise the cash for ActionAid's 'She is the Answer' campaign to help people in some of the world's poorest communities.

The campaign aims to help women lead their communities in addressing the effects of climate change.

ActionAid's website explains the UK government will double the campaign's donations until June 4.

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Mr Ewan, who has 10 grandchildren, took on a number of running tasks in his slightly younger days including the Marathon des Sables (a gruelling race through the Sahara Dessert) in 2007, and, a few years before that, ran a half-marathon a day for a month.

He said: “I’ve done some tough running challenges but I was a bit younger then and this is the first I’ve done since I turned 80 in December.

“I have, in the past, raised money for charities, both in the UK and Africa and I decided that while the Government is prepared to match funds raised until June 4, this is a great chance to raise money that would make an enormous difference to people suffering the worst effects of climate change.

“ActionAid is a charity I have long-supported so now is a great time to do this.”

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He plans to start during April and welcomes any support.

Click here to donate.