A FORMER stammerer is hitting the road to help young people who have the problem.Ted McLaughlin is running to help stammerers.

Ted McLaughlin will run through three towns, including Kidderminster, to support The British Stammering Association's work, particularly with children.

Ted, of Marlpool Place, Kidderminster, will be running 28 miles and instructing 90 minutes of aerobics classes during the daunting five-hour challenge to raise funds for children with speech difficulties.

The event, on Sunday, April 4, will start at 9am with a 40-minute step aerobics class at Bridgnorth.

This will be followed by a 14-mile run to St Ambrose School in Kidderminster before he heads off to Droitwich.

The day concludes at 1.15pm with a 30-minute step-aerobics class

Kidderminster-born Ted, 47, who has represented England in 100 kilometre runs, said: "The challenge is not the 28 miles - the challenge is conducting my own verbal instructions during the aerobics classes. That doesn't mean that I will be taking the run lightly."

He is currently undertaking an intensive training schedule, including half-marathons five days a week, and a 22-mile run every Sunday.

He added: "I want to inspire anyone with speech trouble. Anyone can do it. Don't let anyone hold you back."

Ted, who is taking an exercise to music course at Worcester College of Technology after giving up his job as a driver for a computer firm, will fully qualify as a step aerobics instructor just before the event. He will be running a weekly class at St Ambrose School every Monday.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Ted on his April challenge can contact him by calling 01562 861222.