'Marathon helps me to stay off the cigarettes' (From Witney Gazette)

'Marathon helps me to stay off the cigarettes'

3:17pm Monday 12th March 2007 in Witney By Tim Hughes

SMOKERS have been known to try many things to kick their habit.

But few have gone to the same extremes as window cleaner Doug Parry.

Not content to rely on nicotine patches or gum, reformed smoker Mr Parry, 37, is vowing to stay off the cigarettes by entering his first marathon - convinced that the effort of training for the challenge will stop him lapsing. And he claims, so far, it is working.

The father of three, from Mirfield Road, Witney, who used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day, will be among the thousands running this year's London Marathon, on Sunday, April 22.

He said: "I did a half-marathon when I was 15, but nothing since. Everyone said I would be fitter and healthier after giving up smoking, so I decided to give this a go. It gives me a real incentive to stay off the cigarettes."

To train, he is doing three short jogs a week, and a longer 15-mile run every Sunday.

He said: "It is starting to take its toll on my ankles and knees, but I am looking forward to the marathon, as I really want to do it. I know it will hurt, but it will keep me off the fags forever!

"And if I ever feel the urge to smoke again, I'll just enter another marathon."

He is being supported by his wife, Suzanne.

"She thinks it's brilliant," he said. "I'm now trying to get her to ride her bike next to me while I run."

As well as the challenge of staying of the cigarettes, Mr Parry is also hoping to raise up to £750 for good causes, by running it for charity.

All sponsorship money he raises will go to the WHSmith Charitable Trust - which supports community and education projects. He chose the charity while working part-time at WHSmith in Witney.

To sponsor Mr Parry, go to www.justgiving.co.uk/dougparry, or call him, on 01793 562735.

* Also running this year's London Marathon are Graham Ferris, Les Harrison, Dave May, Neil Shellard and Adam Smith - all members of The Witney Road Runners.

To help motivate them, they are raising funds for the Lawrence Home Nursing Team (LHNT), which provides skilled care for terminally-ill patients in and around the Chipping Norton area, who wish to remain in their own homes.

The runners are aiming to raise £100 per mile in sponsorship - which they hope will bring in £2,600 for the charity.

The cause is close to the heart of runner Mr Ferris, 40, whose father received expert care from the LHNT.

Mr Ferris said: "I joined the Witney Road Runners last year, and was a marshal at the 2006 Flora London Marathon - which is when I decided to run it this year, among the crowds and atmosphere.

"When my dad died, I decided it was the one thing I could do to raise funds for the LHNT to whom we owe a huge debt."

To sponsor the group, go to www.freewebs.com/lawrencemarathonteam