When it comes to stories of courage and determination, Glyn Marston’s rates with the greatest not least while battling with long illness. The story of why he started running is well documented but just what or who motivated him into continuing beyond his intention to run simply one London Marathon? “It really was a twist of fate,” explains Glyn. “My then wife Ann and I had been invited to a charity function at the Dorchester Hotel in London as a result of my fundraising efforts in the marathon.

That was where I met Vicki Michelle from Allo Allo for the first time. She was one of a few celebrities at the reception welcoming people like me. To be honest I had always been a big fan but when it came to asking her if I could have a photo taken with her as a souvenir, I got a bit star struck so my wife asked her. I needn’t have worried, she put me at my ease straight away chatting about what I had done and intended to do. When I told her I had no more plans to run, she said it would be a great pity to throw it all away after all the training and effort I had put in and pointed out how many other people might benefit if I carried on. I realised she was right and whenever I hit the wall in a race I would think of her words and keep on going. Not even Vicki could have imagined the impact her words were to have on Glyn.

“I first met Glyn in 1994 at a charity fund raising reception in London having just completed the London Marathon,” says Vicki. “It’s incredible when you consider what he went on to achieve with his running, raising thousands of pounds for good causes and running over 60,000 miles. He did so with no thought of recognition for himself while winning a personal battle with epilepsy.

His dedication and commitment to the running were unquestionable surpassed only by his modesty. I feel deeply touched my few words of encouragement helped inspire him to achieve so much and was delighted to nominate him for Unsung Sporting Hero Award for the West Midlands in 2003. Running was a major part of his life for so long and I know he was devastated when he was told to stop but typically Glyn, it wasn’t long before he found a new challenge and I have no hesitation in saying that I’m sure he will go on to raise much more money for his chosen charity, The National Autistic Society in the future. Good luck Glyn, go for it boy. “Vicki has been great,” says Glyn. “She has given me great support in recent years for which she has my everlasting thanks. Since my injury I’ve also received many messages of support from former running colleagues and well wishers as well as people like Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dr Ian Grey Thompson all have which have boosted my determination to compete in wheelchair athletics. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of them and of course to Karen my future wife, whose love and help have carried me through what for so many personal reasons, has proved to be the most difficult time of my life.”

So how does Glyn’s fiancé Karen feel about his past achievements and future aims? “Glyn had already stopped running by the time I met him,” explains Karen. “When I saw his achievements I was amazed plus he has that never give up attitude which he applies to everything in his life whatever he does despite whatever setbacks he has.

 I know he considers his greatest achievements so far to be completing the 145 Grand Union Canal Race five years in a row and representing his country in the Spartathlon. I well remember his face when I visited him in hospital after he was told he couldn’t run any more. It was if someone had taken his legs away right there and then and a good bit of his heart and soul as well. I can’t put into words what I felt for him but now he has taken up this new challenge I know he will give it 110 per cent. I join Glyn on training sessions when I can and will certainly be at his first wheelchair race along with my children Melanie and Leigh and Glyn’s children Louise and Liam. I know it will be a very special day and I’m sure he will have a very loyal fan club there to support him and I shall be really proud to be there at the start f a new chapter in Glyn’s life.