A DAD has set himself a 140-mile swimming, cycling and running challenge to Buckingham Palace in aid of children’s charities.

Oli Marshall from Brampton Abbotts aims to do his solo ‘WYEONMAN’, from Ross-on-Wye to London, on Saturday, July 31, to raise £3,000 for Acorn Children’s Hospice and Megan Baker House.

He has been training for up to 14 hours a week for the last five months, and says: “At the end of July, I’ll be taking on a ridiculous challenge, the ‘WYEONMAN’, with the aim of raising money for two remarkable children’s charities.

“I’ll be attempting to swim 2.4 miles in the River Wye, bike 180km (111.8 miles) from Ross-on-Wye to Windsor Castle and run 26.2 miles (marathon) from Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace

“I really hope you’ll be up for getting behind the challenge by sharing it with friends and possibly making a personal or corporate donation.”

Explaining why he was doing it, he added: “I’ve worked in Early Years for almost 20 years and having a young family of my own, I see first-hand the fun, magic and happiness that comes from having children around.

“I’m hoping people will take a moment to reflect on their lives and families, recognising how lucky most of us are to never need the services of these brilliant organisations.

“Too often we take our children’s health for granted and switch off the hard realities that face so many families.

“This is a time to stop, be grateful, and do a little good!

“I’ll be pushing myself well past my limits in the hope you’ll make a donation to support the families who are facing incredible challenges every single day.”

Acorn Children’s Hospice in Malvern, which has a shop in Ross-on-Wye, provides care, support, fun and laughter for more than 1,000 families of life-limited and life-threatened children.

Megan Baker House in Ledbury provides conductive education sessions for children and adults with motor disorders.

To follow the build-up to the challenge go to Instagram and Facebook and search for WYEONMAN.

To support Oli’s fundraising challenge, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com and make the same search.