A MAN who battled alcoholism and lugged a log on his shoulder for a charity run will double his efforts with an even more gruelling challenge.

Lee Rosier, of Gwynne Road, Dovercourt, raised £620 to fight dementia by running five miles with a 30kg log on his shoulder.

The 48-year-old fought back from the brink of death after a struggle with alcoholism.

He wanted to use the world around him as his own gym in an effort to re- gain his health.

Now he is back with an even greater challenge – carrying a 40kg log on a 12- mile run around the Tendring district.

He was inspired after reading of the plight of Ella Hart, who has suffered from Type 1 diabetes since the age of two, in the Standard.

Touched by the daily struggle of people living with the condition, Mr Rosier will donate all funds raised to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – a charity funding research into the disease.

Mr Rosier, 48, is a carer for his wife Barbara, who suffers from arthritis.

“I have family who have struggled with diabetes and I saw the piece in the paper about Ella,” he said.

“I told her mother Mari about the challenge and she seemed really pleased with it. My wife had a serious ankle operation, so I had been spending a lot of time looking after her.

“I have been training through taking runs with the log along the beach and weight-lifting, and will step it up now.”

Mr Rosier will start his mammoth challenge at the Park Pavilion, in Barrack Lane, Harwich, at 10am on December 24.

The challenge will see him run to and around Great Oakley before returning to the Park Pavilion.

“There is always still hope for people who have got a problem with alcohol,” said Mr Rosier.

Sponsorships forms for Mr Rosier’s charity effort are available from the Post Office in Kingsway, Dovercourt.