NOW then, now then. After more marathons than you can shake a stick at, Sir Jimmy Savile fixed it for Bournemouth St John Ambulance to get a fund-raising boost on Saturday.

In what he described as the "shortest ever sponsored run ever", the former DJ and TV presenter ran around a deckchair to raise funds for the organisation.

Speaking beforehand, Sir Jimmy said: "I have done Lands End to John O'Groats three times, taken part in 217 marathons and 300 bike rides when I was a professional cyclist. I have decided enough's enough. I am going to start tackling things from the other end of the scale. I am going to sit in the deckchair, get up run around it and sit back down - all of eight-and-a-half yards."

Jimmy, 78, sponsored himself £500 for the event, and the proceeds will be handed to St John Ambulance, Dorset.

He added: "Every time I come round here when I am training, the volunteer Jim is always ready with a cup of water. He is such a lovely fella."

Jim Findlay has been a St John Volunteer for 25 years and usually works on Boscombe beach during the school holidays. He said: "I only found out about it this morning. £500 isn't bad for a day's work. We are very thankful to Jimmy."

Jimmy has raised millions of pounds over the years taking part in numerous charity fundraising events. He has lived in Bournemouth for 30 years.

First published: August 15