Dad runs 30 miles to raise funds for son's school

Anakin, six, supported his dad Jason on the 120 laps

A 51-year-old father, who ran a 48km (30 mile) ultra-marathon, raised more than £1,400 for his son’s school.

Jason completed about 120 laps of Peterborough Athletics Track to fund special sensory equipment for his son, Anakin, six, and his classmates.

Joining Heltwate School in September had a “positive impact” on Anakin, who is non-verbal and has autism, and his family wanted to give something back to it.

On Friday, school children came to support Jason. Some even joined him on the track, which made it “worthwhile for Jason”, his wife Lisa, 44, said.

Lisa, 44, said the school helped her son

The school teaches pupils aged four to 19 with moderate to severe learning difficulties and offered autism specific education.

Lisa, 44, said that since her son moved to the school he had "come along far" and was "beaming with excitement" to go back after the Easter break.

Speaking after the fundraising marathon - which Jason completed in less than six hours, Lisa said: “It was a brilliant day and children from the school came down on the minibus and really brightened up the day for Jason and gave him the boost to keep going.

“We really can’t thank the teachers enough for all their support. The staff at Vivacity [the track] that day were brilliant and so helpful and supportive it was lovely.

“Jason hit a bit of a wall around 22 miles and got cramp but he carried on through. His reward was a pizza take away for dinner.

"He is doing well this morning but his legs are very sore but he is pleased he still has all his toe nails."

Jason, 51, has raised £1,447 for special equipment at Heltwate School

Jason said he would do something every year to “challenge himself” while trying to raise some money for a good cause.

That money raised was for "more than just play equipment" and was "about helping the children to be able to regulate and learn", Jason said.