A KIND-hearted GP is tackling a gruelling 52-mile race across the Malvern Hills to support children affected by the fallout of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Gary Smith, a doctor at Link End Surgery in Malvern, is planning to take on the challenging Malvern Hills Ultra event next month to raise money for the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity.

The Ultra is a demanding off-road race that challenges participants’ navigational skills as well as their endurance.

Dr Smith will run for more than 12 hours and faces a total ascent of more than 8,000 feet – the equivalent of climbing up and down Snowdon three times.

Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline helps children from the town of David-Gorodock in Belarus by bringing them to Malvern for a ‘health-giving’ holiday every summer.

Dr Smith and his family are hoping to host two children this summer and he said it was the cause that convinced him to sign up for the Ultra.

“Prior to training for this event I had only previously run up to half-marathon distance and swore I would never do it again,” he said.

“However, I felt that, for Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, I was willing to push myself to 52 miles in trying to raise vital funds for them.

“Their efforts help improve the quality of life for thousands of children affected by the disaster.”

The race is on Saturday, May 4. To sponsor Dr Smith, visit justgiving.com/Gary-Smith068.