A former regional press journalist who now works for a children’s charity is running the London Marathon in order to raise cash for it.

Chris Hill worked as a journalist with Gloucestershire Media for 15 years including a spell as news editor of The Citizen.

Now communications officer at Cheltenham-based WellChild, he is running the 26-mile route on 25 April to raise money for the charity.

The charity helps sick children and their families throughout the UK as they deal with the consequences of serious illness and complex conditions.

Said Chris: “I’ve always quite wanted to run the London Marathon but I never thought I would – it seemed like the sort of thing other people do.

“I still don’t know for sure I’m going to get round, as after 13 miles it’s a journey into the unknown for me.

“I’ve done plenty of half marathons but I’ve never finished one thinking ‘What I need is to do that all over again!”

Father-of-two Chris has set up a webpage at www.justgiving.com/Chris-Hill2 where people can sponsor him.