A campaign to get a marathon-running pensioner knighted has been launched by a weekly newspaper.

The Rotherham Advertiser is calling for the honour to be bestowed upon 75-year-old grandfather-of-three Ray Matthews, who has completed 75 marathons in 75 days in an attempt to raise £75,000 for charity.

The Advertiser will be writing to the Cabinet Office calling for the fundraiser to be dubbed ‘Sir Ray’ for the feat, undertaken in aid of Newman School, which caters for children with physical disabilities.

So far, Mr Matthews has raised £20,000 for the cause.

The campaign featured on the front page of Friday’s Advertiser

Editor Andrew Mosley said: “Honours lists normally consist of a lot of people who have been extraordinarily well-paid for what they do. So, surely it’s time for Ray Matthews to arise.

“The Advertiser has very rarely, if ever, reported on such an act of dedication as that carried out by Ray.

“His selflessness is why we are writing to the Cabinet Office calling for Ray to arise as Sir Ray. We hope the attention his achievements have now gained enable him to reach his fundraising target and hopefully be awarded a knighthood too.”

Mr Matthews added: “I really appreciate being put forward for the knighthood and thank the Advertiser for it.

“Even just being put forward will help create a lot of attention and that will help with the fund-raising.”