Pride of Britain: The man using his love of fitness to help others in his local community

We have been asking for your nominations for people in our region that go the extra mile to help others and raise money for charity.

Four individuals have been shortlisted for the chance to become the Midlands finalist for the Pride of Britain Regional Fundraiser of the Year.

A self-confessed fitness fanatic, Phil began running classes in his spare time ten years ago. They would take place in schools, community halls and parks.

He later started organising sponsored 'fitathons' - intense, three-hour-long endurance workouts.

Phil told ITV News Central he wanted to use his love of fitness to help others.

"Any member in my class. Or anyone that comes up with a good cause. And I thought it's worth supporting, I will give myself, because in the community, the members are so supportive," he said.

"I just give myself, because it just feels good to make a difference and just be there. I've got no money to give them. All I've got is my fitness."

He held his first 'fitathon' in 2013 in support of paratriathlete Phil Hogg - who needed to buy a hand cycle to compete in the Rio Paralympics.

They have since formed a close friendship, and he now helps out with other fitathons and fitness classes.

Phil is currently focused on fundraising for twins Freddie and Louis Dawkins, who have Batten disease, a rare condition that means they require round-the-clock care.

The twins' father, Andrew, was touched by Phil's generosity.

Andrew said: "He knocked on my door and said are you the Battle Batten man? I'd like to raise some money for your boys. That's how it started.

"I class him as a true friend, to be fair. An unbelievable man... There's no government funding so it's down to the community and Phil that pays for Freddie and Louis' research. So it's astonishing, really, how much they've raised."