FORMER sailor Neil Crocker has chosen to support the Weymouth lifeboat as he prepares to compete in the London Marathon.

Mr Crocker, 44, of Jesty’s Avenue, Weymouth, has never competed in a marathon before and confesses he is finding the training a challenge.

But Mr Crocker, who now works for defence equipment manufacturers G3 Systems at Osprey Quay, Portland, can often be seen jogging along Portland Road during his lunch breaks.

He said: “This is the first time I’ve run in a marathon.

“I have applied to take part for the last three years but I actually managed to get in this year, so I am sure that one way or another I will make it round.

“I can be seen plodding along the causeway most lunchtimes when I’m at work.”

Mr Crocker’s strong maritime links with the area inspired him to run on behalf of the RNLI.

He said: “I left the Navy last year, after 28 years, and so the lifeboat in Weymouth is quite close to my heart.

“I’ve always lived by the sea so it was the first thing I went for when I thought about who to raise money for.”

Mr Crocker said he hopes to raise around £500 or more for the charity.

Mr Crocker is used to being on his feet as a member of the Market House pub’s football team, but is laying off playing matches while preparing for the marathon.

He said: “I don’t want to pick up a football injury but I’ve told them that if they get too desperate then I could play.

“The training can be a bit of a bore but I expect it’s my family that suffers the most for what I’m doing; but they are very supportive of me.”

Mr Crocker’s wife Claudia teaches at St Andrew’s School and their sons Joshua, 14, and Ben, 11, both attend All Saints School in Weymouth.