Adam planning six marathons in six continents

For most people the thought of running one marathon is tough enough but a Kilburn man is taking it much further in his bid to raise funds for charity.

Adam Chataway, 34, of Birchington Road, has committed himself to doing six marathons across six continents in 29 days with a bike ride from Boston to New York and a mountain climb in Kenya thrown in for good measure.

Adam, who works for the National Lottery, is taking on the monumental physical feat for ActionAid, the charity set up in memory of his girlfriend Victoria Buchanan, who died in 2006 aged 28.

Ms Buchanan was killed as she cycled from her home in Kilburn to work at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC. Since then a charity has been set up in her name to provide clean water to a part of Ethiopia.

Adam said: “Vicky lived with me in Kilburn and I worked with ActionAid to set up Vicky’s Water Project after she passed away.

“Doing that gave me and Vicky’s friends and family a tangible legacy for her – we were able to write another chapter of her life and while she is not with us, it was recognition that not all of her could be taken away.”

After a whirlwind of fundraising, Adam and his friends raised enough cash to ensure that clean water was accessible for people living in and close to Lera Town in Ethiopia.

However, the next step is ensuring that there is enough space in schools to teach young people – who now have the time to educate themselves as they do not have to travel far for water.

On Tuesday, Adam took his first step of his gargantuan challenge which has the ultimate aim of raising enough money to build four new classrooms n the local school.

Adam, whose father is a former 5,000m world record holder, said: “To be frank, I am built for comfort not for speed.

“The beauty of living in Kilburn means I am close to Regent’s Park, Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath. I have clocked up about 75 miles this week so feel ready for the challenge.”