Dr Andreas Erhardt, a local GP who left a well-known Abergavenny practice two years ago, to work as a full-time partner in Rhonda Cynon Taf, is preparing to run in the London Marathon for MIND.

The doctor explained, “It is estimated that one in four people in the UK will suffer a significant mental health problem at some point in their lives and as a GP I see patients with ill mental health every day, young and old. In my own family people have suffered ill mental health and required specialist help and support. Mental Health Services are not given the resources needed and in a small way I want to do something about it.”

Dr Erhardt’s most memorable charity fundraising effort to date, a cycle ride from Abergavenny to Paris in 2011, was previously featured in the Abergavenny Chronicle. This time he has pledged to raise a minimum of £2000 for MIND, the mental health charity. He is a serial fundraiser but this is his most ambitious charity challenge to-date.

“I have never attempted anything as challenging as this before, either in terms of commitment to training, or the amount of donation pledged to raise,” explained the 56-year old. I fully appreciate that there is only so much people can afford to donate, with so many good causes and charities, locally and nationally, seeking financial support all year round. In a strange way raising sponsorship is becoming a quite competitive undertaking, too.”

Before taking up his training, the longest running event the doctor ever participated in was a 10K run in Belfast in the early 1990’s, whilst working in Northern Ireland.

Revealing his current training regime, the doctor explained, “On a good week I can squeeze in one or two short evening runs of 5-6 miles and one long run on the weekend.I plan to reach full marathon distance by early April.”

To find out more and support Dr. Erhardt in his fundraising efforts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AndreasRunsLondonMarathon2017