CINDERFORD dad Andy Bendall will realise a long-held dream when he runs in this year's London Marathon.

Andy, who is running to help a charity called Hope for Tomorrow, has taken five years to be successful in the ballot to get a place in the marathon.

Hope for Tomorrow provides mobile chemo­therapy buses that enable people to receive vital cancer treatment without the added burden of having to travel to hospital.

Andy said: "Unfortunately I have had a number of friends and family that have been diagnosed with cancer and I have seen first hand how receiving treatment locally has been of great benefit to them."

He said the charity had been very supportive throughout his training and had given advice on preparing for the big day.

This is Andy's first marathon and he has not done any serious training since his school days but has been clocking up the miles around the Forest.

He is hoping to achieve a time of less than five hours and his sons Jack, aged nine, and six-year-old George are especially proud of their dad.

Andy thanked all those who have sponsored him with so far.