WHEN Adrian Stohr embarked on a journey to lose weight and take on the London Marathon, he had no idea just how far it would take him.

East Anglian Daily Times: Adrian Stohr had to lose eight stone to stop him having a heart attack. He is now signed up to run the London Marathon for charity next April.Adrian Stohr had to lose eight stone to stop him having a heart attack. He is now signed up to run the London Marathon for charity next April.

The 36-year-old father-of-three from Sudbury – who was diagnosed as morbidly obese just weeks after his father died from a diabetic condition – took on a punishing diet and exercise routine that saw him shed 8st in a year.

After more than six months of solid training, the former nightclub doorman whose story first featured in the EADT last year, is now ready to take his place on the starting line in London this Sunday. He will run to raise money for the charity Children with Cancer UK.

His struggle to lose a third of his body weight and prepare for the marathon has also piqued the interest of national BBC producers, who came to Sudbury recently to film Mr Stohr in training, and to record an interview with him that will feature in the TV coverage on the day.

Mr Stohr, who now works at Nestle Purina and runs his own photography business, is also planning to write a book about his life-changing journey.

He was initially shocked into taking action after his doctor warned him his weight and sedentary lifestyle were posing a grave risk to his health.

He said: “My father died of a heart attack related to diabetes aged just 58. I went to my GP for tests and was told I weighed 24-and-a-half stone, was morbidly obese and was likely to die of a stroke or heart attack if I didn’t do something drastic.”

Mr Stohr said he is determined not to let the terrible events at the Boston Marathon deter him from competing, and he hopes other people will find his story inspiring when they see it on TV.

He added: “I was shocked when BBC Sport contacted me and told me I would be one of only three people they wanted to feature on the day. I have already raised £3,000 for the charity and, if my story can encourage other people to change their lives in a similar way, then that will be a bonus.”

Support Adrian at www.virginmoneygiving.com/adysjourney