A father from Helmdon has raised £400 for the Acorns Pre-school by running 45 miles along the Grand Union Canal.

David Bailey, father of Jasmine, works for the Heygates flour mill in Bugbrooke and planned the route along the canal from Bugbrooke to his company’s depot in Tring.

Mr Bailey did rope in five colleagues to run alongside him but he was the only one to finish the distance.

Mr Bailey said:  'I just wanted to give something back to the preschool.  Jasmine loves going there and I love running.’

Rachel Wheeler, chair of Helmdon Acorns Pre-school said:  ‘This was an amazing feat to run so far and he has raised lots of money for the pre-school; not only through sponsorship from parents but also a generous donation of £200 by Heygates Limited.

‘We try to promote healthy lifestyles to the children and Dave is certainly a fantastic role model.

‘He was allowed to join in the Dad’s race on the Helmdon Acorns Sports Day but this time he had to keep his legs in a sack to slow him down.’

Brackley and Towcester Advertiser – 6 August, 2010