FROM a senior corporate manager of a bank to a marathon runner is a transformation David Lewis never believed he would see.

But with only two weeks to go until he takes part in the Flora London Marathon, he is now raring to go.

And his friends and family have so much confidence in him completing the 26-mile race on Sunday, April 22, he only needs £50 to reach his sponsorship target of £3,000.

David, 51, retired from his job at Barclays Bank last year and started going to the Oaks Leisure Club, in Reedley.

It was this that led to him deciding to take part in his first race which he will run for Action Aid, which helps provide health care and improve water supplies in countries across the world particularly Africa, India and Pakistan.

And his busy training schedule even meant him going out running on Christmas Day morning.

The father-of-three and stepfather of two, of Marsden Fold, Nelson, said: "If someone had said to me in January or February 2000 when I was retiring that in just over 12 months time I would be running the London Marathon I would have questioned their sanity. Since I signed up for it I've questioned my own sanity. But it just shows what you can do if you put your mind to it.

"I've been running probably in excess of 40 miles a week for the last few weeks and on Saturday I did 18 miles in three hours. Four months ago I couldn't have done six miles without feeling rough.

"I just want to finish it but if I were to do it in four hours I would be delighted. It's just whether I can keep it up for the last eight miles.

"I didn't expect to raise this much money though. Action Aid said if I raise more than £3,000 I get a free parachute jump so I told them I'd keep it at £2,999 -- this is enough excitement for me."

David will travel to London with his three sons, his wife and friends who will all be supporting him on the day.