A KIND-HEARTED Solihull runner lined up with hundreds of others to take on the Therme Manchester marathon over the weekend.
Connor Bennett put his best foot forward as he took on the 26.2mile course across the city in aid of the Helping Hands food bank at the Renewal Church.
He was cheered on along the route by his brother Marcus and mum Ruby Goode.
The 21-year-old, who works the night shift at Morrison’s, completed the course in four hours and 45minutes despite battling with knee pain for about four miles.
He said the need for food provision in these economically tougher times spurred him during his challenge.
Connor, who has volunteered at the Lode Lane based food bank, said he wanted to raise awareness of the local group to encourage others to donate goods in person or money online which would go towards goods for families in need across the borough.
He isn’t sure how much he has raised because he put up the direct link to Helping Hands on his Facebook and people responded to say they would donate either online or by bringing items.
But he’s hoping for at least a couple hundred pounds in donations.
Proud mum Ruby said: “The best part of the marathon for him was accomplishing a goal he has wanted to achieve in quite some time, bucket list style, the vibrant buzz of the crowds cheering him along the whole time, being united with the other runners themselves in the challenge, and the exhilaration and relief of reaching the finish line.
“As a mum it was both exciting and stressful because it’s a long wait from start to finish, you don’t know how he is doing the majority of the four hours.
“But the turmoil was all overshadowed by a huge sense of elation and pride as we saw him coming toward the finish line, the crowds cheering.
“I could not be prouder of him.”
