He added: "I completed the London Marathon in 4h 45m but I didn’t have time for much training then as I stepped in for a colleague when an injury ruled him out of the race.

"I’ve done more training this time so I’m hoping to improve on that time — providing it’s not too hot over there!"

Jeff, who is a former asthma sufferer, is hoping to raise as much money as he can for Asthma UK.

He added: "It’s a charity that doesn’t get a great deal of publicity but asthma affects 5.2m people in the UK.

"Most people know someone who is affected by it even if they don’t suffer from it themselves.

"They need funding to provide help and support to sufferers and to carry out research into the condition, so any offers of sponsorship would be greatly appreciated."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Jeff can send cheques, made payable to Asthma UK, to Jeff Bolitho, Herald Express, Harmsworth House, Barton Hill Road, Torquay, TQ2 8JN, or e-mail him at jbolitho@heraldexpress.co.uk.