Fermanagh man Alan Taylor is currently undertaking a 104-mile charity running challenge in memory of his close friend Marius Beattie, who passed away earlier this year.

Last October, Alan completed the Galway Bay Marathon in aid of NI Chest, Heart & Stroke - a charity that provides expert care and support to anyone at risk of, or currently living with, chest, heart and stroke conditions.

This year, Alan decided to take on another running challenge, this time in memory of his close friend Marius, who passed away in May.

Marius was treated in the Regional Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, before his passing.

With the support of Marius' family, Alan has decided to donate all money raised from the challenge to REVIVE, a registered charity that supports patients, relatives and staff of the ICU by providing new and improved facilities for the unit.

Alan spoke to this newspaper about why he has decided to cover the distance of 104 miles.

"My wife came up with the idea that because myself and Marius would have rowed Lough Erne twice in the early 1990s, with Lough Erne being 52 miles, she said, 'Why don't you try and do a 104-mile challenge?'," he explained.

Alan is completing the 104 miles in stages through local runs and larger running events, including the Sligo Coast to Coast, which took place last Sunday (September 25).

He will conclude his challenge, finishing the final miles at the Donegal 3/4 Marathon this Sunday, October 2.

"That will be the whole miles done, just to keep Marius' memory alive, as we were very close friends. We were 10 years rowing together.

"In 1987, there would have been local boat races around in Enniskillen. Himself and myself would have been involved. There were a couple of good races in it and we used to enjoy it; it was a bit of craic.

"Then for charity one year we decided to row Lough Erne, then two years later we decided to row it again for charity," said Alan.

For his latest charity running challenge, Alan is raising money through his Just Giving page, entitled 'Alan's 104 mile challenge'.

"The amount of people who have been donating to me so far has just been unbelievable," Alan told this newspaper.

To donate, see https://tinyurl.com/3neewys7.