A GYM manager from Droitwich is taking on an endurance challenge between January and May to raise money for charities close to his heart.

Mike Taitt, 31, is one of the joint managers at the Anytime Fitness branch in Droitwich Spa and a keen long-distance runner.

This year, Mr Taitt has set himself the challenge to run 1,200km over 120 days by completing 10km a day in the gym starting from New Year’s Day and ending on May 1.

He said: “I have always been a runner so I haven’t had to do much more training.

“It has been going pretty well and I haven’t picked up any injuries yet fingers crossed.

“I had a two week break from training to get myself ready for it but I normally try to run 10km twice a week. When you set yourself a challenge, it needs be challenging otherwise you’ll lose interest in it, the challenge must have a reward at the end. I know it’s going to be difficult but I’m going to see this through.”

Mr Taitt is aiming to raise £3,000 for three charities: Alzheimer’s Society in honour of his father Tony who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at 50, Maggie’s Centre who provide emotional support for cancer patients; one of whom is his wife Carrie-Ann, who was diagnosed in May last year.

The third is MIND in honour of his sister’s partner who passed away due to mental health issues. Mr Taitt intends to split the money raised between the three charities with each receiving £1,000.

The total distance run by Mr Taitt equates to running 28 London marathons and he has set up a fundraising page on JustGiving. He has currently raised £680 of his £3,000 target and added: “I would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who has donated. Your support means so much to me as this is the hardest thing I have ever done.”

For more information and updates on Mr Taitt’s progress, go to www.facebook.com/pg/anytimefitnessdroitwichspa/