A DROITWICH man has been having a different types of knees-up to celebrate his 40th birthday, by taking part in a 40 and a half mile charity challenge.

Stephen McAlinder, 39, is planning to run 13.1 miles everyday between May 29 to July 7, to coincide with his 40th birthday.

Stephen will be running Droitwich Spa lido on a two mile circuit between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, every evening until he's completed his daily target of 13.1 miles.

By the time he has completed his marathon challenge he will have clocked up 524 miles - the same distance as running from London to Italy.

Stephen is taking part in the challenge to raise money for the National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, (NSPCC).

Stephen said: "It is a different type of ‘knees-up’ to what people would expect me to do for my 40th birthday but I am a proud volunteer for the NSPCC so I wanted to do something special for a wonderful organisation.

“I have been fundraising for the charity since 2004 before my own children were born.

"I have been blessed with two beautiful children who have brought much joy and I believe all children should have the opportunity to be cared for in a peaceful, loving and safe environment. "I am happy and grateful to be in a position to offer my support to the NSPCC.”

Deborah Chandos Hall, NSPCC's head of community fundraising, said: "Stephen’s epic marathon challenge is nothing short of astonishing and an amazing way to raise money for vulnerable children and young people. "Volunteers like Stephen really are heroes to us and more importantly to the children that we work to protect.

"What could be better than to celebrate them and the fantastic things that they do to make our work with vulnerable children possible."

Stephen is hoping to raise more than £1,000 from his challenge.

For more details visit nspcc40.com and sponsor Stephen justgiving.com/40Marathons.