Blind marathon runner Dave Heeley set off in style for the challenge of a lifetime, as he headed down to Heathrow Airport in a chauffeur-driven Bentley.

Dave, known as Blind Dave, is due to land in Rio de Janeiro tonight as he prepares to take on the record-breaking challenge of running seven marathons in seven days across seven continents.

Around 40 family members, friends and supporters gathered at his home in Oak Road, West Bromwich, to wave him and sighted running partner Malcolm Carr off.

Fans donned specially made t-shirts, blew whistles and horns and cheered as the Bentley pulled away.

The duo will spend a week in Rio continuing their training before the beginning the first of the seven marathons at a military air base on the Falkland Islands just after midnight UK time next Monday.

Father-of-three Dave said the support he had received, both at home and from around the world, was “absolutely incredible.”

To donate visit www.7mm.org.uk or track his progress in the Express & Star and at www.expressandstar.com