A man is running seven half marathons in eight months to raise money for a homeless night shelter.

Bill Foster, 36, of Springfield Road in Walthamstow, had the idea of running ‘seven races for stow’ after taking part in the ‘seven days for stow’ volunteering project earlier this year, where Walthamstow residents were asked to find seven days over the course of a year to help out locally.

Mr Foster did his seven days at the Forest Churches Emergency Night Shelter (FCENS) based in Church End, Walthamstow, and stayed for three months in the end.

He decided he wanted to do more to help a charity who claim they are the only night shelter serving rough sleepers in Waltham Forest.

Last winter about 170 people stayed at the shelter’s different buildings across Waltham Forest which are staffed by around 150 volunteers from November to March.

Mr Foster said: “You see homeless people a lot in London but you are blind to it. I wanted to do something.”

Mr Foster has raised £560 so far towards his £1,000 target which will buy a new shower at one of the shelter venues.

Having already completed the first half marathon in September, Mr Foster is now getting ready to run the Oxford half marathon this Sunday.

Mr Foster said: “I'm feeling good about the race on Sunday, it takes me one step closer to the Marathon.”

After that he has a 10K race, two more half marathons, the London Santa Run and a full marathon to do by April next year.

Mr Foster said: “The only one that terrifies me is the marathon because I haven’t done one before.

“I’ve never done this many races back to back so it’s changed the way I have to train but I’m enjoying it.”

Shernell Durrant, a trustee of FCENS said: “Not many of us have the stamina or resolve to do this but the Trustees and volunteers at FCENS are absolutely delighted that Bill has chosen to raise money for the night shelter by running these races.”

You can sponsor Mr Foster at www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/7races4stow