A DEVIZES MAN, Gary Wootton, has smashed his fundraising target for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance after running three half marathons in three weeks.

Over the past three weekends the 41-year-old has run the Bath Half, Devizes Half and Longleat Half to raise money for the charity.

He originally wanted to raise £250 from the challenge but donations have now reached almost £500.

He said: “I am chuffed to bits with how much money I have been able to raise. I am glad it is now over though, I am looking forward to having a rest.”

Mr Wootton completed the Bath course in less than two hours with a time of one hour 57 minutes and beat his time for the Devizes Half marathon completed last October, of two hours 10 minutes, by finishing in one hour 58 minutes.

He passed the finish line at Longleat last weekend, the hardest of the three, in two hours four minutes.

Mr Wootton said: “I felt alright after the first one, not too sore, but I think I picked up a small injury doing the Devizes race so for Longleat I just wanted to get round.

“The atmosphere in Devizes was really good though and people in the villages came out to cheer us on along with the big crowd on The Green.”

The electrical engineer, who has worked at Schneider in Chippenham for past 24 years, lives in Cowslip Close with wife of nine years Leah, 38, and eight-year-old son Charlie.

The challenge came about after signing up for the Bath Half and his running friend James saying what a challenge it would be for him to run all three for the WAA.

He said: “I chose the charity as I have lived in Devizes all my life and I see how often this service is used every day, helping the people of Wiltshire.”

Rebecca de la Bedoyere, fundraising manager for WAA, said: “We’re really grateful to Gary for undertaking three half marathons to raise money for the charity.

“It certainly sounded a challenge and we thank him for his dedication and commitment.”

Mr Wootton is also planning to give a portion of the money raise to Bishops Cannings under eights football team, of which he has been coach of for the past three years, to get some extra winter kit.

He started running several years ago, after giving up Sunday morning football, and before the challenge had only taken part in one half marathon.

He has said his next challenge is likely to be a cycling one, organised by the Friends of Southbroom Infants, with possibilities including a cycle from Landsend to Devizes.

To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/GaryWootton2015