'I'd never run 5km, now I'm doing a half-marathon'

Nathan Parris is taking on a half-marathon for the first time to raise money for a Motor Neurone Disease charity

A man who is taking on a half-marathon for the first time said his life was transformed when he joined a running club tackling mental health.

Nathan Parris, from Ipswich, joined the Harmonious Wellness Club in Ipswich run by former Ipswich Town players Luke Chambers and Emyr Huws.

He takes on the Ipswich Half Marathon on Sunday that sets off from Town's stadium in Portman Road at 09:30 BST.

"Before this I'd never run a 5km in my life and now I'm running half-marathon distances out of nowhere, I feel great for it," Mr Parris said.

"[Running] does wonders for your health as well - some of these run they're at five o'clock in the morning.

"Come six o'clock on Monday morning you've done 5km, you feel great.

Mr Parris is also the chair of the Ipswich Town Supporters Club and known locally as the Ipswich Drummer due to bringing his drum to every game.

He wanted to take on the 13.1-mile road race to support Town legend Marcus Stewart who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in September 2022.

The fan will raise money for the former footballer and The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation that Stewart regularly fundraises for himself.

Mr Parris described the disease as "horrible" and admitted before Stewart he did not "know too much about it".

"I'm aiming for [a time of] one hour 47 minutes," Mr Parris added.

"If I beat that, someone said they're going to donate £100 to Marcus Stewart and The Darby Rimmer MND Foundation."

Mr Parris said the Harmonious Wellness Club had given him a "feeling of belonging".

He urged anyone considering taking up running to "do it" and join the group.

The Ipswich Half Marathon has been organised by Run For All and road closures along the route will start an hour before at 08:30.

Last runners are expected through the finish by 13:15 with roads due to reopen at about 13:30.