WHEN Notts County defender Michael Johnson hung up his football boots he took on a new role managing the club's youth team.

But now the 36-year-old has decided to push his fitness and endurance skills to the limit in a double charity challenge.

He is running a double marathon for the Haiti earthquake appeal – and sleeping rough to raise awareness of homelessness in the city.

Johnson will brave the cold weather next month to help raise £100,000 for Notts YMCA, which will be split between hostels in Nottingham and Mansfield.

"We have got a lot of homeless people out there," said Johnson, who has also played for Birmingham City and Derby County.

"It's very unfortunate, especially at this time of year when it's quite cold. We just want to help them.

"People are in an unfortunate position, you put yourself or your children there and it's not an ideal time or place."

Johnson will be joined by Notts County Chief Executive Gary Townsend for the SleepEasy event to raise cash and awareness of the problem of homelessness in Nottingham and Notts.

Staff and players from Mansfield Town will help with a warm-up for the sleepout, which takes place on February 5 and is sponsored by Cadbury, The Big Yellow Self Storage Company and Sainsbury's.

Just a month later, the youth team manager will put his fitness levels to the test.

Johnson, who has never run more than three miles, has decided to run 50 miles from Meadow Lane, in March, to raise cash for the Haiti earthquake appeal.

"It's been shocking to see what's been happening in Haiti," said Johnson, of Stanton-on-the-Wolds.

"I sat down and thought what could I do? I came up with the idea of running a marathon.

" I thought it's a good challenge – a lot of people run 26 miles, why not do something that's more of a challenge?

"I'm a firm believer that if you can do something which will affect somebody's life, you should do it.

"It's about helping people and recognising children and grandparents have all suffered major losses.

"They need help. Not just with food and clothes, but also with infrastructure."

Johnson said he hopes to use his position at Notts County to raise awareness of the Haiti appeal, and said other players at the club have already pledged to join him for some of the run.

He added: "I've got the mindset from my career that I know I will finish.

"I've never run more than three miles but I do surely believe that I will finish.

"I hope to inspire some of the young people too. There's a message behind it all that no matter where you are, you can achieve things."

Johnson will begin the 50-mile run from Meadow Lane on March 7. Donations can be made at the club reception or to sponsor him, visit www.mjfootball.com.

To pledge your support for the SleepEasy event see www.virginmoneygiving.com, e-mail sleepeasy@nottsymca.org or call 0115 855 3315.

claire.carter@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk