A Culdrose aircraft engineer who lives in Penryn ran all the way to work and back last weekend in a bid to raise some birthday charity cash for Help for Heroes.

Graham Ditty, pictured right, turned 30 last week and instead of celebrating with a party he decided to run a mile for every year he has been alive, “to really give me something to remember and at the same time do something for a worthwhile cause,” he said.

On Sunday, January 20 he set off from his house in Penryn and made his way along the main road to Helston, before lapping the Royal Navy air base at Culdrose and returning back the same way.

Fiancée Danielle Coote said Graham completed the first 20 miles in a speedy three hours and forty minutes, “but he said for the last few miles he just felt like he was going to collapse.”

Supporters dotted along the route, including work colleague Ben Carthey and family members Stacey Williams and Natalie Oliver, helped out by cheering Graham on and running a few miles for encouragement. He returned to his home in Penryn in just over four and half hours, Danielle said, “which is amazing.”

Graham chose to support Help for Heroes, which provides support to wounded, injured and sick service personnel and their families, because of his links with the Navy.

So far he has raised a combined total of more than £355, but is aiming for £1,000.

Packet readers can help Graham reach his fundraising total by donating via justgiving.com/graham-ditty