Optometrist prepares for Falklands marathon

An optometrist and war veteran from Ashington, Northumberland is competing in one of the world’s toughest marathons in the Falkland Islands on April 22 to raise £1,000 for three charities close to his heart.

Andy McGregor (pictured) served in the Falklands War in 1982 and was troop commander in the Royal Engineers. The Stanley Marathon is officially the world’s southernmost marathon, and described as one of the most challenging due to wind, gradient and bad weather.  ‘When I found out there is a marathon on the Falkland Islands I thought it was a way to combine my interests and to fundraise for charity causes,’ he said.