A MACHYNLLETH fund-raiser who hoped to raise £1,000 in memory of his friend has smashed that target and donated over £1,500 to the Wales Air Ambulance.

Andrew Ellis took on the Race to the Stones event in July running from the Chilterns to the North Wessex Downs, but unfortunately had to stop after completing 51 kilometres of the 100 kilometre challenge after suffering cramp.

Despite the setback Andrew, who has said he will return to undertake the challenge next year, raised £1,575 in memory of John Edwards, who died in August 2015.

John was heavily involved in Machynlleth football and rugby clubs and was supportive of the Wales Air Ambulance which led to Andrew deciding to raise money for the charity.

While Andrew has presented a cheque to the air ambulance, he said he knew that other people had hoped to donate money, but had not been able to do so, and so any further donations would go to providing a bench in memory of John which would be placed at the rugby club.

Andrew said: “I was due to run the 100km straight through but unfortunately I had to pull out after 51km with cramp so next year I will be going back to run the full 100km to finish the job and run it with some friends, which hopefully will make it a bit easier mentally anyway.

“In the end I raised £1,575 which was for the Wales Air Ambulance. I would like to thank everyone that donated, and especially John’s family which were very generous with their donations and support."

“A few people said they’d like to give, but unfortunately I didn’t catch up with them before the fund was shut, so if they’d still like to give then it will be put towards getting a bench in memory of John.

“It will be put by the rugby pitch on the spot that he used to stand watching Machynlleth play.

“They can either give to me or Lilian in the rugby club.

“There will also be a poker night happening soon with the money going toward the fund.”See this week's north editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow