101 year old Buster Martin got back to doing the two things he loves in July - running and helping charities raise money - when he took on the challenge of the Bupa Great Capital Run, in Hyde Park.
The centenarian, who ran the London Marathon in April, for the second year running laced up his trainers, to support the event, which raises thousands of pounds for Capital Radio's Help a London Child Appeal. He was asked to take part by the charity to help encourage fundraising and meet the crowd during the run, which is expected to raise around £200,000.
Flanked by his team of Samm Mullins and Jane Dixon-Halsall, both colleagues at Pimlico Plumbers where he works as a van cleaner, Buster completed the10 km course in just over 2 hours 28 minutes.
After finishing the race Buster celebrated with his trademark pint of ale, with a slice of orange floating on top for ‘extra flavour', explaining that he would have posted a quicker time, but for all the people shaking his hand and asking for autographs during the race.
"It was great to get out in the fresh air and have a nice run in the park, and all for the Help a London Child people," said Buster.
"I've been fortunate to live a long life and I've seen a lot of things, good and bad. But when I see the good charities like Help a London Child do, it makes me determined to do what I can to help."
Before lining up for Sunday's run Buster had to deal with the disappointment of learning that his own bookie, William Hill, still hasn't paid out on a bet on himself to finish the London Marathon, a payout promised to another Children's charity, the Rhys Daniels Trust.
William Hill is demanding a copy of Buster's birth certificate before the firm will hand over more than £13,300, but Buster, a French orphan who arrived in Britain in 1906, aged just 3 months, doesn't have one.
"All I ever wanted to do was raise money for charity. But then it's not about me anyway, I never wanted to be famous or to break any records, all I want is for William Hill to pay what's due so I can keep my promise to the Rhys Daniels Trust and help the children."
On Friday September 19 Pimlico Plumbers will host the Capital Radio Breakfast show in another charity event in aid of HALC. Johnny Vaughan and the Breakfast Crew will be broadcasting their award winning show from the company's depot.
End
Editor's Notes
The Rhys Daniels Trust provides accommodation for families with sick children in hospital - see http://www.rhysdanielstrust.org/
HALC provides financial support to grass-root projects for London's less advantaged children - see www.capitalradio.co.uk/helpalondonchild