A LANDLORD from Chedgrave is running to the aid of a valuable local charity by tackling the London Marathon next month.Simon Peck of The White Horse is running the 26 miles to raise funds for the Chedgrave Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, which is round the corner from the pub.

A LANDLORD from Chedgrave is running to the aid of a valuable local charity by tackling the London Marathon next month.

Simon Peck of The White Horse is running the 26 miles to raise funds for the Chedgrave Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre, which is round the corner from the pub.

Mr Peck has held a number of events in aid of the centre, and jumped at the chance to raise more money when he found out he had been assigned a place on the marathon.

“I'm 36 and I wanted to do it before I was 40,” he said. “I've always wanted to do the London Marathon before I die, so it was a chance to tick the box and to raise money for a local charity. It really is a good charity and its right here in Chedgrave.”

The Chedgrave MS Therapy Centre has a hyperbaric oxygen chamber that is used by people with MS or broken bones. Patients go on “dives” in the chamber to help their body mend.

The centre has one of only two oxygen chambers in Norfolk, and as well as physical treatment it offers a place for MS sufferers to socialise.

It is run by local women Jean Hesp and Ingrid Pennell, who rely on the charity of local people to keep it going.

“Because we charge so little we have to make up our money from donations,” said Mrs Hesp, the manager of the charity. “We're very lucky with donations from local people. Simon's a fantastic support.”

The last function held at The White Horse in aid of the centre was the “last night of the proms” event last September.

Mr Peck said that the training was going reasonably well so far, despite sore ankles, and that he had already got up to 20 miles.

He is part of his pub's running club The White Horse Terriers, and has run the Norwich half-marathon three times. He has also completed The Great North Run twice.

He said he always aims to raise money for charities that help people he knows. “One of the people who use the MS Centre is a regular in the pub,” he added.

Mr Peck has already been pledged �1,200, but is hoping to get his sponsorship up to �2,000.

To sponsor Mr Peck visit www.justgiving.com/simonpeck-londonmarathon-2010. If you are interested in joining The White Horse Terriers running club, which meets on Monday nights at 7pm, telephone the pub on 01508 520250.