IT was a fundraising marathon with a difference...

Inspired by the UK’s favourite fundraiser, Captain Tom Moore, Carlisle man Paul Doyle came up with a truly long-distance plan to help a worthwhile cause by running a marathon from the comfort of his own home - albeit with a somewhat limited route: around his dining room table.

Over a gruelling 4 hours and 20 minutes, 38-year-old Paul completed 4,220 laps of the mahogany dining room table at his Durdar home in Carlisle, covering the 42,000 metres that makes up the standard marathon length. He did it to raise money for the mental health charity Mind.

Experts have repeatedly warned about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the nation’s mental health, saying it is likely to leave many thousands of people feeling isolated and afraid.

“My marathon was inspired by Captain Tom,” said Paul, a financial services worker from The Willows, Durdar. “I always wanted to be athletic but never quite had the inspiration or the motivation to get active. I decided that I wanted to do this for Mind.

“They’ve helped me in the past and they offer a huge amount of support. The pandemic will be affecting so many people in so many ways. Mental health is certainly an area that needs support.”

Paul worked out that every lap of his dining room table covered 10 metres, and thus he was required to complete 4,220, though he surpassed that number, doing 4,466 circuits. He added: “Unlike in the London Marathon, I didn’t finish down the Mall - but I did have a drinks station every 10 metres and a toilet in the next room. I also got a view of the front garden, Sydney Harbour and my dad’s model train collection.”

Paul’s effort has raised £210. Search with PaulDoyle82 on JustGiving for his page.