'I could only run for 15 seconds, now I run a club'

Adam Birks and his club members are now aiming to complete their first half marathon for charity

A man who said he used to be unable to run for more than 15 seconds has started a running club.

Adam Birks, from Stoke-on-Trent, launched the group after realising how running helped his mental and physical health.

Now his club of 22 is aiming to complete their first Potters 'Arf Marathon in September to raise money for five charities.

"If you told me last year I'd be running a half marathon, I'd be laughing," said Mr Birks, who has thousands of followers on social media.

"I used to see runners at seven in the morning, and think, what on earth are you doing with your life?"

Mr Birks said he now gets it, having used the NHS Couch to 5k app to get into running.

Exercise has "completely changed my life," said Mr Birks, who is keen for more people to give it a go.

The running club he set up, called Run for Stoke 24, meets at least once a week, and is made up of people from all different backgrounds.

Money raised from completing the half marathon will go towards five charities close to his heart.

They are Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke Amateur Theatre Society, mental health charity Bridging the Gap, the Beds for Kids campaign run by Emmaus North Staffs, and Period Power.

"I think I will be sobbing when we get to the finish line, it means a whole lot more than just completing the Potters 'Arf," added Mr Birks.