A MONMOUTH man has just passed a milestone in his life he never thought would be possible.

Nineteen stone Old Monmothian David Peace took the decision to lose six and a half stone a few years ago and following the news that a close family member lost half their lung function through an autoimmune disorder and now suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, prompted him to take on the London Marathon.

“Arthritis is a completely shockingly painful condition and the treatment is quite severe” said David.

“And for that, and for the many others who suffer with this, I just thought I would ‘trot’ the London Marathon” he added.

He contacted Versus Arthritis who allowed him to run in the marathon in their name and after a 16 week training programme, he managed to trot around it all in 5 hours 46 minutes and 32 seconds “and I won’t be doing it again!”

Versus Arthritis invests in breakthrough treatments, the best information and vital support for everyone affected by arthritis.

“I wanted to do it by the time I was 65” added David and he hopes his ‘turnaround’ will inspire others as well. “It’s never too late” he said. He ran as ‘the fat sparrow’, a name given to him by one of his children “when I was fat but with skinny legs” and anyone wishing to support David can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/The-Fat-Sparrow