A NOT so model employee showed up to work six hours late having decided to make his way to Bristol from Thornbury on foot in a bid to raise funds to find a cure for meningitis.

Martyn Bennett, 54, walked 20 miles from his Sorrel Close home to National Windscreens in the city on Friday, September 20 in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), a charity based in the town.

He set off at the crack of down, around 4.30am, stepping into the office at 11am.

Sponsorships poured in for the regional sales and marketing director’s ‘walk-to-work marathon’, raking up a remarkable £1,000 towards vital medical research into the infection as well as septicaemia.

The gruelling commute coincided with a career milestone for Martyn, who celebrated his 20th year with the firm on the very same day.

“Twenty years’ service is a career milestone which has to be celebrated,” he said. “It was an excellent opportunity to raise much-needed funds for Meningitis Research Foundation who have been doing a great job for more than 20 years in researching this potentially fatal disease.

“I originally aimed to raise £800 and I am delighted to have exceeded my target thanks to all the generous support and donations from my friends and colleagues.”

Martyn has raised more than £4,000 for the charity from a number of events this year including the Bristol 10k and Half Marathon and the Great North Run.

MRF is also the chosen charity of National Windscreens, a vehicle glass repair and replacement company, which in recent years has raised some £17,000 for the organisation.

MRF corporate and development fundraising officer, Kate Baldwin, said: “We’re so grateful to National Windscreens for their continued support and want to congratulate Martyn on the success of his latest fund-raising venture for us.

“The money raised by the walk will enable us to continue our vital work into the prevention, detection and treatment of meningitis and septicaemia, as well as supporting families affected by them.”

Supporters can make donations towards Martyn’s fundraising campaign by calling up www.justgiving.com/martyn-bennett20years