BRIDGWATER Men's Hockey player Martin James has set his sights far in order to raise money for charity. After swimming the channel with his brother Daniel, playing professional hockey in Italy and completing four Ironman triathlons in the last three years, Martin is embarking on a self driven challenge to run seven marathons in seven days, followed by an ultra marathon in June 2017 - totalling 252 miles.

He's running for two charities, Help for Heroes (H4H) and National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS).

Help for Heroes support many different groups specialising in injury rehabilitation to family support.

Martin's focus is to raise awareness of the 24/7 helpline available to ex-service men and women who have returned from war zones and require additional help integrating.

Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day as a result of depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Martin was inspired to run by the tragic story of Markus Goldie, an ex-marine and friend could've used additional support in June this year when he unfortunately lost his battle with PTSD and depression.

Martin's mum, Birgit James, was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at a very early age and he's seen first hand how debilitating the condition can be. Martin is directly supporting Mid Somerset Rheumatoid Group who work from Musgrove Park Hospital and help so many rheumatoid patients in the local area.

Martin, 30, was deputy head boy at Wellington School in 2004 and it was at this time he found his passion for sport, captaining the hockey, athletics and squash teams.

He then went to Cardiff to study Biomechanics and Physiology and now has a career in Nuclear Fuelling Operations.

The seven marathons in seven days will take place on a treadmill in the Wellington Sports Centre reception and begin at 1pm each day, starting December 10.

Then on June 17, 2017 he'll be running a 69 mile ultra-marathon along the iconic Hadrian's Wall footpath, from Carlisle to Newcastle.

There will be collections for both charities at the Wellington Sports Centre during the week, but any sponsorship via the JustGiving pages will help Martin reach his targets.

Simply search for Martin-James111 to donate to H4H or Martin-James252 for NRAS and show your support.