Falmouth man Peter Sadler, ran the Bath Half-marathon on Sunday and is planning to complete the London Marathon next month to raise money for the British Lung Foundation.

Peter, aged 42, found himself getting more and more breathless over five years until it was a struggle just walking up the stairs. At the time, like many, he thought it was just a part of getting older or being unfit. It wasn’t until a lump appeared on his neck that he went to see a doctor.

Peter was soon diagnosed with chronic sarcoidosis, a condition where cells stick together to make small lumps called granulomas. Though they can develop in any part of your body, they are most commonly found in the lungs. Shockingly, when diagnosed, Peter’s lung capacity was only 50 per cent. He said: “I look back now and can see how poorly I was.”

The steroid treatment Peter was put on then led to weight gain as a side effect and he found himself at 17 stone. One day he thought he had to do something and so began training with Fitness Wild in Falmouth focusing on both strength and general fitness exercise, combined with a much healthier diet. Peter has now lost almost five stone, and with the help of steroids his lung capacity is now back up to 90 per cent.

on Sunday he ran the Bath Half-marathon, and will be joining over 100 other runners as part of the BLF’s #TeamBreathe London marathon running team on April 23. He hopes his marathon efforts raise over £1,800 for the BLF’s research, support and campaigning work, fighting the impact of lung disease throughout the UK.

Commenting on his decision to run for the BLF, Peter said: “My sarcoidosis is now dormant and I’m pleased to say I’m off steroids after taking them every day for six years. I now feel able to give back to the British Lung Foundation, which supports research into sarcoidosis, and runs campaigns like the Listen to your lungs campaign to raise awareness of breathlessness as a symptom of lung disease.

“I look back to seven years ago when I got out of breath just going up stairs - the thought of running 26 miles filled me with complete fear. I’ve started running for the first time in 15 years, and my lung capacity is now almost back to 100 per cent. I am ready for this challenge and will complete the course.”

Katie Lyall, community fundraising manager for the BLF, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Peter for his fantastic support. It’s thanks to the amazing fundraising efforts of people like him and the rest of Team Breathe that we are able to continue our vital work, researching new treatments and supporting people living with lung disease across the UK.”

Anyone who would like to support Peter can visit his fundraising webpage uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=PeterSadler3.

If you’ve been inspired to follow in his footsteps and help fight lung disease by raising money for the BLF you can visit blf.org.uk/events, email events@blf.org.uk or call 020 7078 7912.