A FATHER who feared dying before seeing his children grow up has turned his life around and is now helping others.

George Fawkes was 22 stone and had just become a dad to Phoebe but was struggling to bend down to pick her up.

Braintree and Witham Times:

First time - George, left, takes on his first marathon, in Chelmsford

Braintree and Witham Times:

Family - George with one of his daughters at home

With older sister Millie, then two, to look after as well he decided to use his children as inspiration.

Now 11 years later and seven stone lighter, and 11 years later the 44-year-old from Ashingdon is a personal trainer with a record of six marathons and two ultra marathons under his much-reduced belt.

He said: “All I wanted to do was be a good role model for my children. I soon realised that my weight was an issue when I couldn’t even bend down to tie my shoes.

“Before that, I didn’t care what I ate or drank. I was pretty much working day and night in traffic management, putting cones out on the road, setting up temporary traffic lights, that kind of thing. All they had on the roads was fast-food trucks and because it was so exhausting every minute, I had I rested rather than exercising.

“I didn’t want to feel out of breath just running round after my kids, I thought I’ve got to do something about it.”

George began by doing a two-mile loop around his house, which gradually built with time. He continued: “I started running mainly at night so people wouldn’t see the fat boy trying to run. I just walked the loop until I could run all the way and adjusted my diet.”

With hard work at the gym, bootcamps, and a personal trainer, George now weighs 15 stone.

In 2009, George took part in his first 10k and has since taken part in a variety of marathons, including the Brighton Marathon and HARP’s 24-hour marathon.

Throughout he has raised money for fantastic charities, including Great Ormond Street and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

George now works as a qualified personal trainer and circuit trainer.

The father-of-two, who is now also a leader at the Hockley Trail Runners, said: “Now I can show my kids what you can do if you put your mind to something.

“Don’t get me wrong I had struggles along the way - when I first ran the Brighton Marathon, at mile 23 I froze up. Even though it was so hard and painful, I pushed through it and afterwards felt amazing. I get that buzz every time, and have now even got my personal best of four and a half hours.

“After a long wait of wanting to be a personal trainer, now I’m finally here. It feels amazing to be able to help other people who I can relate to and do what I love. I always have a sympathetic attitude towards my clients because I can put myself in their shoes.

“It’s amazing to see their progress, losing weight and gaining confidence.

“Some have even said I’m an inspiration - friends and those I’ve met in the gym have told me I’m the reason they go out running, which is an amazing boost to know I’m a role model to my kids and to others. My message to those who may be in the same place as I was is to believe in yourself, nothing is impossible. A journey of 1,000 miles starts with one step.”

He works at New Body Health and Fitness on Rayleigh High Street.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Before - George weighed 22 stone

Braintree and Witham Times:

After - a slimmed-down George