A RUNNER is to take on a money-spinning charity challenge by running around in circles for six hours.

Paul Smith, from Sherburn Hill near Durham, has gone for a run every single day since January 1, 2007.

Tomorrow (Thursday, March 19) he will mark his 3,000th consecutive day of running with a 30-mile challenge around the centre circle on Consett AFC’s Belle View Stadium pitch.

Starting at 10am, he hopes to complete a dizzying 839 laps of the centre circle within six hours to raise money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Mr Smith said: “I like to keep my running fresh by coming up with new reasons to run and this is a bit of a nostalgic nod to football’s past.

“I’m running to remember two great Bobby’s and to support the work of two wonderful cancer charities too.

“It’s a bit of fun, and I’ll dressing up like Bobby Moore, but it’s a serious undertaking too. I’ve been preparing for it and estimate 30 laps is approximately one mile.

“Friends and family will be coming along to help support me and count the laps.”

Tomorrow’s daunting challenge is not the first major charity fund raiser that the runner has taken on, having raised £4,100 for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Finlay Cooper Fund by completing a course between all the region’s football league grounds.

He said: “I’ll need to keep changing directions every mile or so or I’ll get badly dizzy. I’ll probably appreciate the change of view too.

“And I have to make sure I’m finished by the time the Consett lads start their evening football training so there’s no room for slacking off.”

Pauline Buglass from the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation says: “Paul’s a hugely experienced runner but we know this will be a very difficult challenge, both physically and mentally.

“We’re very grateful to Paul and the wonderful people at Consett AFC who have been so supportive.

“We wish Paul luck and hope the weather is kind to him on Thursday.”

To sponsor Paul, please visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/lordsmythe1908 and you can follow his progress on Twitter via @LordSmythe.