PHIL Fellows will be the first to admit he's no athlete.

But that hasn't stopped the 44-year-old from Amblecote taking up the daunting challenge of running 500 miles to help raise funds for Sunfield School in Clent.

Phil started his challenge at the beginning of December and plans to complete the final six miles of his challenge on July 5 by taking part in the Halesowen Rotary Black Country Run.

Phil, who runs the company Swinford Graphics, wanted to help Sunfield having taken part in last year's Black Country Run as a member of the Sunfield team.

He has set himself a target of running between 16 and 17 miles on a treadmill every week and is already feeling the strain.

Phil said: "I'm not a natural runner and people don't realise how hard it is. But I'm not after sympathy. I chose to do it and I will get there.

"I've known the people at Sunfield for a long time and I wanted to do something for them.

"I just wish I could lose around three stone, so it would make the challenge a bit easier."

However, Phil is moving closer to his target and has already passed the half way mark, having completed more than 260 miles.

He gets up in the early hours and clocks up the miles at the Pure Gym in Stourbridge Ryemarket.

Phil added: "I'm usually running for around 4.45am, although some mornings, I definitely don't feel like running. But I've set myself a target of raising £5,000 and that drives me on. I'm glad I've decided to it."

Further details on Phil's progress can be obtained at http://swinfordgraphics.co.uk/2014/12/and-we-are-off/