A keen athlete is strapping his running shoes on as he begins his training for a 26.2mile challenge in support of a brave little girl.

Richard Tatterton, of Masons Close, Ipswich is competing in the Brighton Marathon in April next year in the hopes of raising £500 for a charity that helps people with Down Syndrome lead a rewarding life.

The 33-year-old is running for the charity after his friend of 12 years went through a nightmare ordeal five years ago during a holiday to Florida where his six-year-old daughter, who has the condition.

The young girl ended up on a life support after catching pneumonia, and the illness had a massive effect on those around her, including her dad.

“He just went from a upbeat chap to a broken man, he lost loads of weight, financially it ruined him, having to stay over there for six weeks – he had to juggle that, then had to juggle work, it really took a toll on him and I said this was something I would do when I was able to,” Mr Tatterton said.

He ran his first marathon in April last year in memory of his 21-year-old niece Michelle Emeny, who tragically died on Christmas Eve 2010 of asthma.

“It’s quite emotional - it’s just good to back something you believe in, especially if you know if it had direct effect on someone you know,” Mr Tatterton said.

Now with three marathons under his belt, Mr Tatterton, who is a member of Ipswich JAFFA running club, is aiming to smash his personal best of four hours 12 minutes and cross the seafront finish line in less than four hours.

To support his cause visit https://www.justgiving.com/Richard-Tatterton/