Pembrokeshire’s very own ‘Captain Phillips’ will be stepping closer to his goal of running 500 marathons in April when he takes on this year’s London Marathon.

David Phillips, an accountant by trade, and member of the Pembrokeshire Harriers and the Massey Ferguson Runners in Coventry, divides his time with his family living in Penally and Warwickshire.

For the 17th successive year, he’ll be leading Team Phillips at the London Marathon on April 23 running for the Brain and Spine Foundation Charity.

“I set myself two goals many years ago, one was to run 500 marathons, and I’ll be edging ever closer to this target as London will be my 477th,” explained David.

“The other was to raise £100,000 for the charity, and with £98,0000 raised so far, I’ve just £2,000 to go.”

The target for ‘Team Phillips’ this year is to reach £9,000 which will greatly help the charity assist those people suffering from neurological conditions, brain tumors and associated conditions and there are many thousands out there with little help to call on.

“It is only a small charity and needs all the help possible to help them carry out their goals,” continued David.

“There will be about 45 of us in the Brain and Spine/Daily Telegraph team and we are fortunate to have, as our running captain this year, Olympic gold medalist and three times world champion rower Helen Glover,” he added.

Anyone who would like to sponsor David and his team can visit the fundraising webpage at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/teamphillips2017