Hugh Rayner is going the extra mile for a good cause in this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon – and the charity he’s supporting has places left on the virtual version if you’d like to join him.

The experienced runner, from Christchurch, will be taking part in the event for the first time.

Hugh, 46, is joining 50,000 fellow runners in the 26.2 mile marathon which follows its traditional route across the capital on Sunday October 3.

The father of two, a yacht broker, is raising money for Home-Start South East Dorset.

The charity supports families living across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, as well as the Purbecks and areas as far north as Cranborne and as far west as Wareham.

Hugh’s running experience includes local 10ks, the New Forest half and full marathons and lots of trail running in the Purbecks.

His training for the London Marathon includes morning runs to the beaches around Christchurch with a bracing morning dip followed by a run home.

Hugh, who is passionate about supporting young people and has raised money for several local causes, said: “My wife and I have a young family and are privileged to have a safe and stable environment to bring our children up in.

“But I know other families aren’t as lucky.

“We might live in a beautiful part of the country, but for many local families, life is really tough.

“I want to raise awareness of the widespread issues of insecurity, poverty and family welfare and support local charity Home-Start which works tirelessly to help these local families in need.”

The Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon event will also be returning this year after its successful debut in 2020.

The virtual event allows participants to take on the world’s greatest marathon on the course of their choice from 00:00:00 to 23:59:59BST on Sunday 3 October, wherever they are on the planet.

Runners will be part of the Guinness World Record-breaking biggest marathon ever staged anywhere in the world.

The virtual event is now sold out but some charities like Home-Start South East Dorset do still have a few places available.

If you’ve always dreamt of taking part in the London Marathon, or fancy joining in this memorable event, please get in touch with the charity on 01202 574877.

Caroline Pope, Community & Corporate Engagement Manager at Home-Start South East Dorset, pictured, said: “Last year we saw a huge rise in families asking for our help.

“The coronavirus pandemic placed even greater strain on families who were already isolated, facing hardship, abuse, disability and mental health challenges.

“We continued to support families remotely throughout lockdown, but our fundraising efforts were drastically hampered by the inability to hold physical fundraising events at scale.

“We are so grateful to our London Marathon runners whose fundraising will make such a difference to the lives of local children, whose childhood can’t wait.”

Since 1995, Home-Start South East Dorset has helped more than 3,500 local families and supported over 10,000 children through a network of 600-plus volunteers.

Among the people helped is mother of twins, Abi.

She said: “Since being supported by Anne and Home-Start South East Dorset, my life has completely changed.

“I don’t think I would be where I am today if it wasn’t for the help I have had from Home-Start.”

It costs Home-Start South East Dorset approximately £33.25 per week to support a family with specialist one-to-one volunteer support.

To join Hugh on the Virtual Virgin Money London Marathon please click here or email julia@homestartsoutheastdorset.org.uk