FOUR Petersfield pub regulars have raised thousands for Petersfield food bank after getting off their barstools and running.

Before the coronavirus lockdown was imposed, Tony Bradshaw, aged 47, of Chapel Street, Mark Gautrey (58), Andy James (61) and Myles Prendergast (57), all regularly met in The Townhouse in the High Street to enjoy a few pints.

Tony said: “After a discussion one Friday evening, instead of doing dry January, which we agreed was too tough, we decided to start running.

“The Barstool to 5k Challenge was created as an adaption of the NHS Couch to 5k programme.

“Our team leader Myles has previous running experience and once challenged Mo Farah to race him in the 2009 Great South Run.

“Mo won the race – but Myles was close behind, in 13,343th place.

“It also has to be said Myles was also overtaken by nine Royal Marines pulling a Land Rover.”

After running three times a week for nine weeks, the team all managed to complete the 5k run.

Tony added: “It’s not exactly a marathon, but as a bunch of old non-athletes we could not help but feel pleased.

“We put an appeal on the Just Giving website to try to raise a few hundred pounds for a worthy cause, and we couldn’t believe how generous people were – £2,120 for the PACT food bank, thanks to everyone who donated.”