Walsall Medical Director Dr Matthew Lewis will soon be leaving the Black Country behind to tackle this year’s Great North Run in Newcastle.

And he will be raising money for Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s charity Well Wishers when he tackles the 13.1 mile course on Sunday 8 September.

Matthew, who joined the trust last year and is a gastroenterologist, has done the half marathon challenge a few times – and all of his three daughters have run it too – so he is feeling confident of success.

“I run any way as it’s a great way to clear your head but I’m stepping up my distances as the Great North Run gets ever nearer,” he said.

“I hope people will sponsor me via my Just Giving page or via a sponsorship form in the Purple Hub on the outpatients corridor of the Manor Hospital. Our Well Wishers charity raises money for items above and beyond what the NHS can provide and focuses on enhancing our patients’ experience so it’s an extremely worthwhile cause.”

The Great North Run goes through Newcastle city centre towards the River Tyne, over the iconic Tyne Bridge, through Gateshead and finishes by the coast in South Shields.

Support Matthew through his Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matthew-lewis38 or pop into the Purple Hub on the outpatients corridor of Walsall Manor Hospital to sponsor him.