AN ENTHUSIASTIC fundraiser is set to complete his second marathon in a year, raising money for autism charities.

Pip Ramsey, 45, of Greenstead, Colchester, is looking to raise £1,000 for Autism Anglia, by completing a marathon by running in the water in the Aqua Springs hydrotherapy pool.

An avid fundraiser, Pip completed a similar challenge last April for the National Autistic Society, raising £1,050, beating his target and leaving him hungry for more.

Pip said that as soon as he completed last year’s event, he was looking to his next challenge and began preparations shortly afterwards.

Pip goes to Aqua Springs most days, the pool helps him greatly, as he has arthritis in a lot of his joints and Crohn’s disease, which can cause him pain when moving outside of water.

Pip enjoys spending his time training, attempting half marathons each time he is in the water. This year, he hopes to beat his previous record of four hours.

Through his training he has observed benefits in his mental health, and his Crohn’s disease is now in remission after twenty years of diagnosis.

Pip loves training to techno music set at 135bpm, stating he ‘can’t train without it’.

During his sessions, he listens to techno on his waterproof MP3 player, shutting himself off from outside distractions and running, referring to himself as a ‘techno Forrest Gump’.

Upon completion of his grueling challenge, Pip plans to enjoy a Chinese and relax at home.

A serial fundraiser, Pip is already planning his next challenge, where he hopes to raise funds for Colchester’s Anti Loo Roll Brigade.

Pip said: “I see all the amazing work that the group does in the community and how much they help people. I want to help them help others.

“I would like to do a fundraiser for Crohn’s and colitis one day, as well as Mind mental health charity, unfortunately, there are a lot of people with invisible illnesses.

“I couldn’t have done this without the help of Aqua Springs, without their pool I wouldn’t be mobile, and they have shared my fundraiser with other users, who have in turn donated.”

To donate to Pip’s cause, visit bit.ly/3IZvlj7.