A FIREFIGHTER will be raising money for a children's charity and running with his partner at this year's London Marathon. 

Rodney Milburn, who has been a firefighter for 18 years in Ulverston, will be raising money for 'Get Kids Going!' - a national charity that gives disabled children and young people up to 26 years the opportunity to participate in sport. 

The 52-year-old said running the marathon is a 'bucket list' item for him to do. Rodney will compete in the race with his fiancé Kimberley James, who is running the marathon for her autistic daughter. 

The Mail: Rodney Milburn works another job alongside his firefighting dutiesRodney Milburn works another job alongside his firefighting duties (Image: Submitted)

Rodney said he had been training for six week 'if and when' he had time between his firefighting duties and another job. He and Kimberley are running around Ulverston together to get ready for the big day on Sunday April 21. 

"I think it'll be a good experience," he said. "I'm looking forward to it. I don't think there's anyone from Ulverston [fire crew] who have done it before."

He said being a firefighter comes in steps where it varies from one call out a week to being much busier. Rodney had to be signed off from the fire station to do the marathon. 

The Mail: Rodney Milburn and his partner Kimberley JamesRodney Milburn and his partner Kimberley James (Image: Submitted)

Despite being in good shape because of his work, he still thinks that the London Marathon will be a challenge and did not commit to doing future races. 

"Let's just see how London goes," he said. "I'm 52 now so things are getting on a bit. I'm reasonably fit - it's just whether my body will actually take it. I have got arthritis in my knees." 

The 26.2 mile London Marathon started in 1981 and still follows a similar route to the inaugural event. 

The Mail: Rodney and Kimberley will run the London Marathon this monthRodney and Kimberley will run the London Marathon this month (Image: Submitted)

Runners start in Blackheath and go through Woolwich, Greenwich, Bermondsey, and then across Tower Bridge to Isle of Dogs, Wapping, Blackfriars, Westminster and finishing at The Mall.

Unlike races in the Lake District, the London Marathon only has an elevation gain of 246ft (75m). 

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