The owners of an award-winning fish and chip shop in Petts Wood are set to run a 70-mile trail for charity after their son was diagnosed with autism.

Serena and Andy Pybus will take part in the four-day run after for their five-year-old son Leo.

It will start in Southend on Friday, April 28 and end in Stratford on Monday, May 1 for CASPA Bromley, a charity supports autistic people and their families.

The Village Fish and Chips shop in Petts Wood, owned by Serena and Andy, was recently named in the top 50 in the Fry Awards for Britain’s best fish and chip shops.

Serena explained that the charity supports autistic people and their families in Bromley through weekly group meet-ups and support groups.

The couple will be running the 70-mile trail along with a group of 14 other runners, in a bid to raise money to go towards helping the charity fund sessions and provide support.

The 37-year-old said: “We go to CASPA every Tuesday with Leo, our son, who's autistic, and we've seen what the charity does for people like him.

“There's absolutely no support, there's no care, there's no aftercare.

News Shopper: Leo, aged 5, was recently diagnosed with autism this year.Leo, aged 5, was recently diagnosed with autism this year. (Image: Serena Pybus)

“You just get this official diagnosis and off you go.

“And the only reason why I'm so keen to get this news out there is because the only support I've had is CASPA.

“They have little groups every other day where you can attend as a parent and with your child. And they'll take your child off to go to a soft play.

“They provide you with knowledge as a parent to an autistic child and you get other parents sharing experiences.

“Otherwise, I would be completely lost. And here we are, a week before, ready to go.”

The couple began training in December 2022, however Serena confessed to feeling “daunted” by the prospect of running 70-miles.

Serena said: “I'm a bit daunted by the whole thing. I’m not a big runner and so this is going to be a big challenge for me.”

So far Serena and Andy have managed to raise £1,485 on GoFundMe towards the group fundraising goal of £10,000, with hopes that the final total will continue to rise before Friday.

News Shopper: A group of 16 will be either walking or running in a 70-mile trail from Essex to Stanford A group of 16 will be either walking or running in a 70-mile trail from Essex to Stanford (Image: Serena Pybus)

Serena said: “We're really proud that we've been able to raise that much money alone, but for the whole group collectively we're up to nearly £12,000.

CASPA Communications and Events Manager Kim Thursfield said: “So far we’ve managed to raise over £12,000 and the amount is still growing.

“The money will go back into the different services we provide for autistic children and adults as well as their families.

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“We offer different clubs, things from drama, football.

“We have overnight stays for our adults, where they go and stay and learn how to cook and clean and skills to be independent.

“We’re very grateful for Serena and Andy, they're always very willing to give up their time and volunteer for us.”