A DORSET man is lacing up his running trainers to take part in an ultra-marathon across North Dorset for charity.

Eric Jager, 68,will be running before dawn to dusk past 25 churches from his hometown in Sherbourne.

He will run past churches of Purse Caundle, Stourton Caundle, Bishops Caundle, Holwell, Glanvilles Wootton, Hermitage, Leigh, Chetnole, Ryme Intrinseca, Yetminster, Beer Hackett,  Thornford, Lillington,  Longburton, Folke, Castleton Sherborne, Oborne, Poyntington, Sandford Orcas, and - time permitting, the churches of  Trent, Overcompton and Nethercompton with a finish at Sherborne Abbey.

Eric has set himself a £2,000 goal to raise money towards campaigns that Christian Aid is funding around the world.

He will set off from his hometown on October 19 for the 'Steeple Chase'.

Speaking ahead of the run, Eric said: “I’m aiming to do this ultramarathon steeples chase, quadrathlon-style, which means I will run, jog, walk or stagger from the start in Sherborne, through the Dorset countryside.

“I’ve done several charity runs in my life - increasing the distance each time - and this will be my final one. It’s going to be a challenge; I’m 68 and I aim to make this the longest run, if not in kilometres, at least in hours.

“I’ve been training by upping my distance and number of hours over the summer, going out three times a week.”

Eric began supporting Christian Aid after he and his wife came across a volunteer for the charity who he hailed as ‘inspirational’.

He added: “My wife and I both worked overseas for several years and were in Khartoum, Sudan at one point.

“We feel an affinity with the people there and admire the way Christian Aid stands in solidarity with communities trapped in humanitarian crises.

“We also appreciate the way it doesn’t shy away from advocacy, here in the UK, for global issues: by engaging with UK decision-makers such as MPs; by frequently organising topical webinars; and by the way they provide creative campaign ideas for local Christian Aid Groups to engage with issues in their own communities.

“I’d summarize the charity’s work with the phrase ‘faith-in-action’, which is for me what being a follower of Christ is all about.”

Donations can be made via the Christian Aid fundraiser titled: 'Eric's Steeple Chase'.