Market Deeping man who works at Hambleton Bakery running month of half marathons in memory of son

A man is taking on a month of half marathons in memory of his son.

It is rare that someone would describe the London Marathon as a ‘fun run’ or practice, but this is how Ben Ray felt about the 26 mile run.

This month Ben, who is a baker for Hambleton Bakery in Rutland, will complete 393 miles spread over 30 days.

Ben said: “I run most days anyway, usually around 10km.

“After I lost my son my mental health declined and someone suggested running which has really helped me to keep going.”

In December 2019 Ben’s son Harry, who would be celebrating his 12th birthday this year, collapsed due to a cardiac arrest. He had been feeling unwell.

Magpas Air Ambulance was called and paramedics provided emergency care.

Sadly Harry died but Ben puts their ‘amazing’ care as the reason the family got to say a final goodbye.

Ben, 35, said: “I think there should be more help for charities like The Air Ambulance Service and Magpas.

“They are a great service and the people we rely on to get to major accidents and emergencies.

“They rely on public support which they get and that shows how amazing they are.

“Without them I wouldn’t have been able to say goodbye.

“I wanted to give something back to such an amazing organisation.”

So far more than £1,000 has been raised on his JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/halfmayathon.

Ben lives in Deeping St James but he is doing a lot of the runs starting from Malcolm Sargent School in Stamford, which is where Harry attended.

“Harry was a joker with an infectious smile,” said Ben.

“He loved his family, playing football and his school.”

Ben is being supported on his runs by his children Jenson,10, and Ezra, eight, and his girlfriend Becky Marshall.

He gives himself two hours each day to complete the runs, even though he is usually quicker.

A month of half marathons is recognised as a Guinness Book of Record Challenge, so Ben will be submitting evidence in a bid to break the record.

He used the London Marathon and Manchester Marathon as practice for this challenge.

“It was a lot to take on but I know my body and what I can do,” he said.