Exeter Barman in London Marathon fundraiser for mental health

After five years of trying to get a place on the Virgin London Marathon, Exeter barman Iain Curr, who works at the Great Western Hotel near St David's Station in Exeter, was running out of time to realise his dream before a self-imposed deadline.

He says: “One of my main aims in life was to run a marathon before the age of 40, and I celebrate that milestone on 25th July this year.” Now he’s on track to complete his ambition, having qualified for a charity place to run in the world's biggest marathon on 21 April to raise money for Mind - The Mental Health Charity.

Iain says: “Having suffered from depression all my adult life running is one of the best activities I've found to improve my mood. The London Marathon gives me the opportunity to improve the physical and mental health of myself and others.

“Mind is a charity committed to raising awareness of Mental Health issues as well as providing practical assistance.”

Iain has a target of £1,650 to raise for the charity. Thanks to his friends and family digging deep in their pockets and to the generosity of regulars and colleagues at the Great Western Hotel bar and to the support of proprietor Raj Kaushal, he’s half way there.

If you would like to support Iain in his fund raising for Mind, please visit his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/IainCurr

Iain’s family are no strangers to extreme sporting endeavours. His younger brother Alan was part of the attempt to play a game of cricket at the highest ever altitude, and did so in 2009 at over 5,000 metres in the shadow of Everest, raising over £100,000 for charity. Iain is aiming to complete the course in under 5 hours, but his brother has already pledged to double his donation if Iain can run the London course in under 4½ hours.

Iain was born in Malta, his family moving to Cornwall when he was 18 months old. He went to school in Bath and studied at Falmouth University. He’s lived and worked in Exeter since 2010.

He says: “I’ve run on and off since my school days, but started training for the London Marathon in October last year. I’m running up to 15 miles three times a week now, and I’ve run eight half marathons over the years. Lifting beer kegs in the cellar and pulling many pints at the Great Western Hotel also helps to keep me fit!”

Iain says he is thrilled to have the honour of running on behalf of Mind and raising money for the charity, and adds: “If you are going to run one Marathon, and I'm thinking it will be only one for me, then London is the place to do it.”

Please help Iain reach his fund raising target at www.justgiving.com/IainCurr