Every year thousands of people pull on their running shoes and raise money for good causes at the London Marathon.

For one Chatham dad it will be the sixth time he tackles the 26.2 mile course.

Chris Joslin first took part in 2004 and used the gruelling challenge as motivation to give up smoking.

The 41-year-old said: “I was sitting in my armchair watching it and I just put my name forward for the next one. I liked doing it and every time I’ve done it it’s been for a worthy cause.”

He has raised money for the Alzheimer’s Society, Mencap, NSPCC, Marie Curie and now he is running for Children with Cancer.

His inspiration for this year’s charity comes from a man who helped him through the final six miles of his 2012 marathon.

Mr Joslin said: “I got to 18 miles and my legs felt like they were going to fall off, but this man came up to me and we ran the last six miles together.

“He was running for Demelza house. His daughter had a terminal condition. We stayed in touch but sadly his daughter died. It’s one of the reasons I want to run for Children with Cancer.”

Mr Joslin, who used to be a civil servant for the Ministry of Justice, is being supported by his children’s school, Balfour Juniors in Chatham, who held a fundraising day with a raffle and cake sale.

Are you running a marathon this year? Contact the newsroom on 01634 227803 or email medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk