A weekly reporter is set to swap his notepad for trainers when he takes on the London Marathon.

George Thorpe, left, from the Brentwood Weekly News, will take on the 26-mile challenge on 13 April to raise funds for the Helen Rollason Cancer Charity.

The charity was set up in 1999 in memory of the BBC sports presenter of the same name and supports cancer sufferers.

George has a fundraising target of £2,000 and decided to support the charity because he wants to become a sports reporter.

In a story about the challenge, he said: “My main journalism goal is to become a sports reporter, just like Helen, so there is a connection with me there.

“I have also lost friends and family to cancer including a good cricketing pal who received care through the charity, so this is why I picked them to run for.

“I need to raise £2,000 before I can even think about starting the race. But I am confident it can be done before April 13 and even though it will be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, I am absolutely buzzing about it.”

In his bid to raise funds, George has arranged a quiz night at a pub in Chelmsford in February.

To sponsor him, visit his JustGiving page.