A new dad from Woodley is running the London Marathon for an adoption charity.

Ed Stephenson, 30, will be taking part alongside nine other members of Parents And Children Together (PACT), a Reading-based charity that provides adoption services, specialist therapeutic support and community projects.

He hopes to raise £2,000 for the charity.

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“Since becoming a Dad, I've realised just how important having a loving family home is. Not all children are as lucky as Harry, and as I was, so the work PACT does is absolutely fundamental to the children and families they support.

“I want to do my little bit by fundraising for this amazing charity.”

Mr Stephenson ran the New Forest Marathon in 2017 and hopes to break his record in the capital.

“I am sticking to a strict training plan as I'm hoping to complete the marathon in under three hours. With a full-time job and a young family, the training has been no mean feat, but I know it'll be so worth it!

“I am most looking forward to the atmosphere - it's going to be so exciting running through the capital. A once in a lifetime experience.”

PACT, founded in 1911, creates families through adoption services and provides lifelong adoption support.

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The groups also aims to empower women who face multiple disadvantages to make positive changes to their lives through its Alana House Community Project and it supports children to heal from the trauma of domestic abuse through its Bounce Back 4 Kids programme.

Ed said: “I would encourage people to look up the brilliant work PACT is doing - it's the main reason I am putting myself through a rigorous training schedule.”

“I am sure the children and families PACT support are eternally grateful for their help, and charities like PACT rely on fundraising to keep running.”

Chief executive Natausha van Vliet said: “We are so happy to have a team of extraordinary people in the London Marathon.

“They have not only committed to running a marathon for PACT but are also working hard to raise lots of sponsorship which will really help us to continue to provide vital support for the families we work with.”