The Suffolk Disability Care Fund is to have its first bout of fundraising from a London marathon effort when Haughley man Tom Barker takes to the course next month.

Mr Barker, 32 and who works for Ipswich-based firm Nidera, chose to support the Suffolk Disability Care Fund, which is run by the Suffolk Community Foundation, as all money raised goes towards helping families living within the county.

He wants to raise £1,000 for the charity, which helps to fund equipment for children and adults with disabilities which is not available from the NHS or Suffolk County Council.

“It was really important to me that I ran for a charity that supports people in Suffolk,” he said. “I wanted to support a charity that wasn’t a big national one.”

Melanie Willis, business executive at Suffolk Community Foundation, said: “This is the first time someone has contacted the foundation offering to run a marathon for the local causes we support. The London Marathon is something that many people will watch and wonder whether they could ever do themselves – me included. Tom has never run a marathon before but is so driven that I am sure he will do it. The sponsorship money he is able to donate to the Suffolk Disability Care Fund will be very much appreciated by all those who benefit locally from help through this fund. Thank you Tom.”

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/Tom-Barker11