Peterborough: Man Takes On Monster Assault Run

2 February 2014, 06:00 | Updated: 3 February 2014, 11:30

An uncle who describes himself as unfit and overweight is to take part in a 20-mile obstacle course to support a charity which cared for his late nieces.

Jonathan Ramm will cut back on takeaways, lager and Guinness to get himself ready for the Rat Race Dirty Weekend.

The challenge will see him face the largest assault course in the world, set up in the grounds of the Burghley estate in Lincolnshire in May. The race features more than 200 obstacles.

Jonathan, from Peterborough, will use the event to raise money for the children's hospice Chestnut Tree House in Sussex via sponsorship.

The hospice looked after sisters Heidi and Eloise who both passed away when just a few weeks old and provided support and comfort to their parents, Jonathan's brother and sister-in-law, from Chichester.

Jonathan, 39, said: "I''m fast approaching the big 4-0, I'm overweight, I eat too many takeaways, probably drink too much on occasions, I have had my knee rebuilt twice and as a result have little or no cartilage left. I'm held together with titanium bolts, knee-wise, and only have two thirds of my hamstrings left in both legs - the other third is holding my left knee together.''

Jonathan is keen to support Chestnut Tree House as a thank you for the care they provided. "My six-week-old niece, Heidi, tragically passed away. There was nothing anyone could do. I have never felt so helpless or useless. You try to help as much as possible but truly don't know what to do right for wrong.

Week by week, month by month, year by year, you move on. Then Eloise passed away in similar circumstances. Those feelings, although having never gone away, rise to the surface again.

I'm just an uncle, a parent myself. But what about the parents of my niece? For them a shining light, a beacon of relief came in the shape of Chestnut Tree House children's hospice.

That's why I am doing this and I can't think of a better reason. Obviously I'm going to have to get serious and, most importantly, get fit. I've cut the takeaways down to two a month, I'm stopping drinking lager and Guinness until after the event.''

Jonathan will be updating supporters via Twitter @jnramm. 

The Rat Race Dirty Weekend takes place on May 10.

To donate to Jonathan's challenge visit www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Ramm.