A FAMILY man who set himself a target of running three miles a day for a year says he is determined to reach his goal.

Toby Christensen, from Grove near Wantage, has run at least three miles a day for the last 216 days as part of a 1,095-mile challenge to raise money for three charities.

The building facilities manager, who works in Headington, will complete his mammoth challenge on his 40th birthday on August 13.

Mr Christensen said since starting the challenge his life has revolved around running – and that without the support of his family he could not have got this far.

The father of three added: “I did the London Marathon in 2010, and I wanted to do something else. I thought of this challenge and decided to do it.

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“I thought to myself: ‘I’m nearly 40, I’m overweight and want to get fit, start playing rugby again and be able to keep up with my three boys’.

“My wife and family have been so supportive of me, it is a real commitment."

The 39-year-old is raising money for Make A Wish, Parkinson’s UK and Cancer Research UK and is aiming to raise a minimum of £1,095.

Mr Christensen is passionate about the three charities, and Parkinson’s UK has helped his close family after his mother, Margaret, 70, was diagnosed with the degenerative disease late last year.

He added: “We all know Muhammad Ali, and the saying float like a butterfly but sting like a bee. Well my mother is just like that, I understand in her youth she used to going dancing she could float like a butterfly across the dance floor. I’m raising money for Cancer Research as well because unfortunately we all know someone who has had cancer and most will know someone who has passed away from this disease.

“Recently there are too many people I know who are fighting this disease. It is about time we kick cancer where it hurts.”

But by doing his challenge Mr Christensen has managed to run all over the country and in some of his holiday destinations.

He said his wife Tonya, 40, and three boys Samuel, 11, Oliver, eight, and Henry, six, have been behind him all the way and also joined him on some of his runs.

Mr Christensen added: “We have been on family runs together, the dog Baloo has been out with me as well.

“I have to plan every day to fit it in, I love doing it, but if you’re ill you still have to run. I’ve had runs where it’s taken me over an hour to do three miles due to me having injuries but it’s all been worth it.

“I was a bit overweight, but now I feel good, healthy and hopefully I can hit that fundraising target.”

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TobyChristensen