Children’s book author Simon A.C. Martin is attempting his first marathon to raise awareness of disability, in tribute to his friends who have been affected by disability.

“Some of my friends were assisted by disabled charities while we were growing up, one in particular who is sadly no longer with us,” said Simon.

The 29 year old, who wrote the children’s book Tale of the Unnamed Engine, will be raising money for leading charity Leonard Cheshire Disability.

The charity runs care services for adults with disabilities both in the UK and overseas and also has specific projects to widen education and employment opportunities for disabled people.

Simon will be raising money for the charity’s St Cecilia’s care home in Bromley.

He said: “St Cecilia's is close to my place of work in Bromley. I drive past it every day and it reminds me to keep training!”

Simon will be among 38,000 participants taking on the famous Virgin London Marathon on April 23.

He said: “I was a Loughborough University Pentathlete ten years ago and in the last few years I’ve got back into running for a combination of health and charitable reasons.

“The last half marathon I did was Race the Train in Wales last year, railways being my subject of interest both in my children's books and wider hobbies.

“The training is going really well, and my target is a time of around 4 hours 30 minutes or less. I am averaging 5 minutes 20 seconds per km at the moment on the longer runs which is a good pace.”

Simon is looking to raise £2,000 and sponsors can support him through: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SimonACMartin

Submitted by Claire Farrell