A MAN who took up long-distance running at an age when many prefer armchair and carpet slippers is bidding to boost the funds of a children's charity - trans-Atlantic style!

For super-fit 55-year-old Alan Davies is set to take part in the gruelling New York Marathon in November, and is hoping that big-hearted local folk will dig deep with sponsorship for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

Backed by sporting equipment giants Mizuno, the London-based registered charity readily springs to the aid of seriously-ill youngsters, and St Helens/Sutton AC member Alan can't wait to don his running kit to tackle the 26-mile grueller in the 'Big Apple.'

Father of Anthony and Louise, Thatto Heath-born Alan, now of Lathom Drive, Rainford, was a renowned sprinter in his earlier days, and first sampled the energy-sapping joys of marathon running only after turning 50. Since then though he has pounded the highways and byways in the lung-bursting event in locations as far-flung as Paris and Berlin, as well as nearer to home in the Potteries and in the world-famous London race.

A body-shop supervisor with Caledonia Peugeot, in Knowsley Road, Alan is a non-smoker but does admit to liking a pint, and is something of a galloping gourmet.

"'I'm no fitness fanatic," says Alan, "although I do train regularly and run something like 60 miles per week. I will be be stepping up my schedules in readiness for the big date in New York, when, as usual I will be wearing my bright green gloves, which I need because of circulation problems.

"The Starlight Foundation is totally committed to brightening lives of sick children - some terminally ill - in taking them to such places as Disneyworld or Alton Towers, and only recently they realised a little boy's dream in taking him to see Damon Hill."

ANYONE who would like to sponsor Alan can contact him on St Helens 633030 during business hours.

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