A BOURNHEATH business owner is trading his office desk for a pair of trainers as he prepares to tackle the London Marathon for a charity close to his heart.

Andrew Hewston, 43, who owns Bumble Hole Foods Ltd, is taking on the 26.2-mile route on Sunday (April 23) to raise £3,000 for Primrose Hospice and Parkinson’s UK.

Parkinson’s UK has been a great support to Andrew and his family after his dad David was diagnosed with the brain condition three years ago at the age of 70.

He said: “My father David has recently developed Parkinson’s which has changed his life significantly.

“He has gone from being confident, fun loving and living life to the full, to being anxious, short of confidence and sometimes struggles to remember.

“Locally, Parkinson’s UK has both helped to support my dad and the family.

“Primrose Hospice is quite a small charity so they need all the help they can get and being local from Bromsgrove I wanted to do something for the community too.

“I have raised just over £2,500 of my £3,000 target so far and I’m really happy to have hit that mark.”

Andrew is a keen runner, with this his fourth marathon – and first in London – and he has already set himself a target to finish in three-and-a-half hours.

He added: “I’m just going to enjoy the atmosphere. I want to really enjoy the run, the crowd and the whole event. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“It has been hard work training, especially in the winter, but enjoyable. Doing a run for the Hospice and Parkinson’s and because it is London makes you even more determined.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/Andrew-Hewston.