A WINCHESTER grandfather of 15 who is blind, wheelchair bound and battling ongoing health problems has completed a full marathon to raise money for charity.

Martin Jacobs, 70, completed the Greater Manchester Marathon on Saturday with the help of two guides – Lydia Lockhart, an active lifestyle officer, and Iain Warren, manager of The Queen Inn pub.

The trio completed the 26.4 mile challenge in six hours and 38 minutes – quicker than the anticipated seven hours.

Mr Jacobs said: “I’m very pleased and excited by it. It was very hard work and it got very hard for the last 10 miles or so. The last five were a nightmare but at the end of the day it was sheer determination that got us through.”

The marathon raised £2,000 towards his £10,000 target for children’s cancer charity Clic Sargent, The Alzheimer’s Society and homeless charity Trinity Winchester.

Mr Jacobs will continue raising money throughout the year, and is planning a sixties night for September. He is also working with the King Alfred, Jolly Farmer, County Arms, O’Neills and Queen Inn pubs.

To sponsor him go online at virginmoneygiving.com/martinjacobs.