Dave’s on target for lucky 13

And he is close to achieving his aim of raising £13,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association after pushing his body to the limit in a series of gruelling tests of endurance.

Dave, 29, began his charity quest in January with the Tough Guy event - an eight-mile assault course through freezing mud and icy water - and will finish today at Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square after running 13 marathons from Tynemouth to London in 13 days.

Dave grew up in Lightcliffe and went to Lightcliffe C of E School and Crossley Heath School. He decided on his year of challenges after his mother-in-law, Linda, died of MND in 2008. “When I met my wife Danielle her mum had recently died of MND. It is a horrible illness with no known cause or cure. I want to raise money because there is so much research that needs to be done,” he said.