A KINGSWINFORD firefighter overcame an uphill struggle when he completed the gruelling Mont Blanc Marathon, raising money for a Black Country charity.

Not only did Martin Davies have to cover the usual 26.2 marathon miles, but he also had to overcome a punishing vertical challenge.

The enormous efforts of the 56-year-old, who is a member of Green Watch at Dudley's Burton Road fire station, managed to raise £645 for the Ednam Road-based White House Cancer Support.

Martin said: “I’m used to training as a firefighter, but Mont Blanc's a tough call as it not only covers the usual 26 miles, it’s also a vertical challenge and the climbing and descent are incredibly punishing.

“I was really lucky with the weather conditions as the two previous days had seen torrential thunderstorms across Chamonix, but thankfully, the day of the marathon it was bright and dry, and really just perfect.”

As a volunteer driver for the charity for three years, Martin also decided to raise funds for WHCS after members of his family received support from the group following diagnosis for cancer.

He added: "This was third time I've done the Mont Blanc Marathon; the first year the weather was so bad I couldn’t see a hand in front of me and last year it was so hot I failed to make the final mile within the time limit.

“But this year I finished well within the nine-hour overall cut off time and raised funds for WHCS so I’m very happy.”

Caroline Webb, manager of White House Cancer Support, said: “Martin trained incredibly hard for the Mont Blanc Marathon. It’s a gruelling task and we’re very appreciative that he raised such an incredible amount for our general funds.”