Marathon-running Jersey DJ raises £12k for cancer charity

Gus Fraser, the marathon running DJ from Jersey, has so far raised more than £12,000 to support Cancer Research UK.

The Jersey dad completed the London Marathon with his mixing decks for charity, after his son's friend was hospitalised with non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

He says he felt powerless when he found out.

"I wanted to work out if there was something I could do about it in general terms, so I decided I would try and raise as much money as I could for Cancer Research, which I've been supporting for the last 10 years.

"I thought a regular marathon isn't going to be very interesting for people to sponsor me, so I thought I would combine my DJing with my running to see where that would get me."

And as expected, his talents have got him far. Gus has so far managed to raise just over 10% of his £100,000 goal, which is still open for donations.

Gus was trying to break a Guinness World Record at the same time, but due to the weight of his decks combined with a recent injury, it wasn't possible.

The organisation had set him a time of five hours to complete the 26 mile course.

Gus says because he's the only person crazy enough to try it there wasn't actually a previous record.

"It took me six hours and 21 minutes, so I was quite far off the pace, in no small part to my back injury. But it's made me think that I will, maybe, attempt it again at some point."

In need of some much-deserved rest, Gus says he has hung up his running shoes for now.

He jokes that he doesn't really want to run anywhere in a long time.

"Maybe in a couple of weeks I might pick up the running shoes and just go out for a gentle run... without carrying anything."

However, despite the lumps, bumps and bruises, Gus has already put his name into the hat for the next London Marathon.

"It's not completely put me off, I just need a proper break now, for a bit."

Gus is not taking a rest from choosing the music though, and will be co-presenting Channel 103's weekend anthems this Friday (26 April) from 5pm.

Islanders can follow updates and donate to Gus' effort on his website: www.marathondj.co.uk

Credit: Max Young Photography / @maximillian.young