A Trowbridge bricklayer will be running the London Marathon on Sunday for St John’s Ambulance after they rushed to his aid two years ago.

Mike Tubb, 41, from Trowbridge is a seasoned runner, but after St John’s Ambulance helped him to the finish line when he collapsed on the last turn in the London Marathon two years ago, he wants to return the favour.

Mr Tubb said: “I was by Buckingham Palace when it happened and I was so close to the finish line they scooped me up and made sure I made it to the finish line.

“I ran the Great North Run for them last year as a thank you and they contacted me quite late this year and asked if I would run in London. I don’t have a minimum target this year because I wasn’t sure I would reach it.”

Over two years of running events he believe has raised £3,500 for CLIC Sargent and £1,500 for St John’s Ambulance.

The father of two started to run in 2013 as part of a weight loss regime but he argues it changed his life.

He said: “Running has changed my life. I was a heavy smoker and often smoked forty a day but when I started running I gave it up. I was also 21 and a half stone in August 2013 and I initially lost five and a half of that!”

This year he has completed the Bath and Reading half marathons and he has set his sights not only his fourth Marathon but also on the Staffordshire half Iron Man and the Chicago Marathon.

Mr Tubb said: “I am looking forward to this weekend now! I went on my last long run on Sunday and I am feeling confident. I fit my training around my sixteen-year-old daughter and do most of my running on my treadmill as I have some good programs.”

To donate to any of his runs or for more information, visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/Tubbsy.