Holbeach butcher Ben swaps chopping blocks for starting blocks for London Marathon fundraiser

Butcher Ben Tindale will be swapping the chopping block for the starting blocks later this year when he takes part in his first marathon.

Ben has secured a place in the TCS London Marathon, held on Sunday, April 27 and says he wants to continue challenging himself having lost almost a quarter of his bodyweight after dramatically overhauling his lifestyle.

The 36-year-old also hopes to raise more than £2,500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity close to his own heart, in the process.

“Running the marathon is a bit of a bucket list thing for me,” says Ben, who is manager at G. Shearer & Sons, in Holbeach.

“I’ve always preferred long-distance running since I was a child, I used to do cross-country at school.

“Last year I lost a lot of weight having found myself at 94Kg, my heaviest, and feeling really lethargic.

“With the support of online coach Les Davies I’ve lost 25Kg by making lots of healthy changes and competing in the marathon is a continuation of that.

“I’m working with Les on my training program, and so far it’s going well, I’m feeling really positive.”

Spring is set to be a busy time for Ben. As well as the marathon, he is also representing Team GB in the World Butcher’s Challenge - the equivalent of the meat Olympics – in Paris.

With a packed schedule to juggle, he says he’s not aiming for a specific time on the iconic London course, but just wants to make it round and raise as much as he possibly can for his chosen charity.

“When he was alive, my father had Alzheimer’s. It’s a cause close to my heart”’ says Ben.

“I want to give this a big push and help raise awareness around it.

“I want to do anything I can to help fund research and find a cure for this cruel disease, both for those suffering Alzheimer’s themselves and their family members.

“So far I’ve raised £280 – but £2,500 is the target.’

You can also sponsor him here.

There is also a collection tin on the counter at G. Shearer & Son, in Damgate, Holbeach, and Ben is also planning to run some butchery masterclasses, with all the proceeds going into his charity pot.