FORMER Bridgwater United footballer, Ben Kirk, ran the London Marathon where he raised over £1400 for the UK children's charity - NSPCC.

It was Ben's first ever attempt at a marathon and he said afterwards he was so proud.

"It was an amazing feeling to cross the line of the London Marathon, I am really proud to say I finished."

"I started training in lockdown and perhaps naively underestimated the distance, but I completed it and the money raised is going to a good cause," Ben said.

Bridgwater Mercury: Ben Kirk after completing the London MarathonBen Kirk after completing the London Marathon It has not just been running that has kept Ben busy over lockdown as earlier this year he released a book.

Titled 'The Healthy Happy School', it is a practical book aimed at providing ways to get more kids active during the school day.

It looks to improve children's behaviour, concentration and help combat obesity.

"It is our job as parents and educators to help kids get more active and involved in physical activity, and that is what the book is all about," Ben said.

Bridgwater Mercury:

"I didn't write the book to become a bestseller, I just saw it as a way to help schools and parents educate themselves on ways to get children active."

The book is part of the greater business that Ben and his colleague Marcus Holmes operate - Inspired Schools.

Their vision is to impact schools across the United Kingdom and reduce childhood obesity by getting children and families active.

Currently the Inspired Schools project is being delivered in some way in over 800 schools in England and Wales and 30 schools in Somerset alone.

Bridgwater Mercury: Inspired Schools program in actionInspired Schools program in action

Ben used to be a secondary school and primary school PE teacher and saw a drop in physical activity between the junior to senior schooling.

"When I moved from secondary teaching to primary I noticed a significant drop in activity levels, perhaps because as you get older you are busier with other things," Ben said.

"Inspired Schools is aimed at improving activity levels and physical literacy levels in children across the UK."

To learn more about Inspired Schools visit: https://inspiredschools.co.uk/

You can purchase the book here.