A HALESOWEN man on a quest to run 5k every day for a whole year as a tribute to his friend is holding an event this weekend for people to join him.

Matt Shilvock has already raised more than £2k for Smile for Joel - a charity set up in memory of Joel Richards who died alongside his grandad and uncle in a terrorist attack in Tunisia in 2015.

He is holding an event at Halesowen Athletic and Cycling Club in Manor Way on Saturday (December 14) from 12.30pm till 1.30pm and is calling for people to join him and show their support on what will be his 348th run of the year.

The 41-year-old, of Brier Road, who is an electrical engineer for Jaguar Land Rover, said: "A few people have said to me they would like to join me on some sort of a 5k run before the end of the year, but are worried they wouldn't be able to complete the full 5k

"So I contacted the athletic club and they have been kind enough to let me use it.

"Anyone is welcome to come along and join me for one or two laps, or the whole 13 laps which make up the 5k route if they want to."

Donations can be made to the appeal at Matt's JustGiving page.

Matt was motivated to raise cash for the charity as his good friend West Bromwich Albion mascot and West Midlands referee Richard Eades was friends with Joel.

Sadly Richard, who was Albion mascot Albi, died of a heart attack aged 42, in 2017.

Matthew said: "Richard was a family man, an enthusiastic WBA supporter who had worked for the club in various roles since the age of 15.

"He also ran and played for the WBA supporters team 'Boing FC' for many years.

"He was a good friend and is sadly missed by all that knew him."

Stourbridge News:

Matt will complete the feat on New Year's Eve – so far he's run 1,282 miles, 167 hours 56 mins of running and the equivalent of 49 marathons.

The keen runner and Villa fan – who has completed the London marathon twice – will don a Santa hat when he goes out for his run on Christmas Day.

Matt said: "It's been okay - it's got harder as the weather has got colder and darker, but I've enjoyed it. I went on holiday to New York with my girlfriend in November so I ran every day there and ran around Central Park - so I've had some good runs!"

Matthew's girlfriend Alison Brindley, aged 33, has completed 33 runs with him and his friends have also been running partners on occasions.

Now Matt is looking for someone else to take over the baton to run 5k a day every day next year.