IPSWICH man Nigel Rogers is taking steps to raise money for leukaemia research by running this year's London marathon.Mr Rogers' father Leonard suffers from chronic lymphocystic leukaemia and has done since 2000.

IPSWICH man Nigel Rogers is taking steps to raise money for leukaemia research by running this year's London marathon.

Mr Rogers' father Leonard suffers from chronic lymphocystic leukaemia and has done since 2000.

Now that Leonard is 67 years old the illness has started to severely hinder his way of life and this is what prompted Mr Rogers' decision to undertake the gruelling 26-mile marathon.

He said: "I'd always been interested in doing the marathon but never had a real incentive until now."

Mr Rogers hopes that any money he raises will go towards research that will help people in a similar situation to Leonard.

The 26-year-old graduate, of Cauldwell Hall Road, moved back to Ipswich from the midlands a few years ago to be with his father.

He is thrilled by the support he has received from friends and work colleagues since he decided to enter.

With a full time job at the Co-op, training time has been limited– but Mr Rogers is using every advantage he's got.

"I'm not a natural runner but I'm in training, jogging to and from work daily with longer sessions on Sundays,

"I've set myself a target of completion in five and a half hours, but I'd love to finish in less."

With other achievements under his belt, such as a sponsored bike ride from Land's End to John O'Groats Nigel is set to do the charity proud.

Having so far raised £200 he is hoping to raise a total of £1,000 or more by the time the marathon takes place in April.

He will be running this year's marathon as part of 'Banana Army' celebrity team, sponsored by Asics and TV times.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Nigel can do so via his on-line page http://www.justgiving.com/DerRogmeister

The London marathon takes place on April 18 2004.