NOT content with completing one marathon, a Bournemouth student is taking on 52 in as many weeks.

Ben Godbold is aiming to raise £100,000 for charity with the challenge, which will begin next month with the London Marathon.

Ben, studying Sports Development and Coaching Sciences at Bournemouth University, will tackle races in New York, Paris and Madrid, before doing the London Marathon again in April 2014.

The 20-year-old, who lives in Meyrick Park, was inspired after carrying the Olympic Torch through his hometown of Gosport in July after being nominated for the honour for his voluntary cricket coaching.

Ben wants to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society, a disease which his grandmother battled, as well as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research and children’s cancer charity CLIC Sergeant in memory of his cousin David, who fought leukaemia aged eight, 13 and 18 and later died.

He is also fundraising for the Alicia Pannell Fund, which raises money to help nine-year-old Alicia, who Ben has known for the past five years.

He said: “Alicia was born prematurely and had water on her brain, so needs 24 hour care. Her family treats her like a princess so we want to raise £20,000 for her and her family to go to Disneyland in Florida and be a princess.”

Ben, who has never run a marathon before, hopes his challenge will inspire young people to do whatever they want in life.

He added: “Before David died, he said he wanted me to go out in his name and inspire people. I just want to show that if you have a bit of determination and time you can do it.”

Ben is now fundraising to allow him to travel the world to complete the marathons, organising events and abseiling down Battersea Power Station.

He also wants to set up and complete his own marathon in Gosport as part of the challenge.

To sponsor Ben, visit bestfootforward52.com.