A DELIVERY driver from Worcester is training hard for the London Marathon to raise money for two charities very close to his heart.

Jason Knight, aged 38, is hoping to reach his target of £1,000 in sponsorship, which he will donate to St Richard's Hospice in Worcester and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

Mr Knight's father Peter Knight worked in the press room at your Worcester News for more than 40 years. He was 70 when he died in June last year.

"My father passed away in St Richard's Hospice from cancer in June 2007," he said.

"He was very well looked after in peaceful surroundings. My mother has had multiple sclerosis for the past 10 years.

"The MS Trust is a charity which provides help and support to people with multiple sclerosis and research into multiple sclerosis."

Mr Knight, of Monarch Drive, St John's, has been working for Parcelforce for 18 years and has been delivering in Worcester for the past four years.

He said he had been trying to enter the London Marathon for the past four years and this year was the first time he had been accepted.

He has been in training since Christmas and goes for runs three or four times a week.

"I have just completed 13 miles for the first time," he said.

"I have not run a marathon before. I usually train late at night or early morning so I don't miss too much time with my daughters Leah, aged 10, and Millie, seven."

Mr Knight is hoping to get sponsorship from the many people he delivers to, and also to help reach his £1,000 target has organised a live band, called Breach of the Peace to play at the Coppertops on Oldbury Road, St John's on Saturday, March 29.

Tickets cost £5 each and for more details, or to sponsor Mr Knight, e-mail knight991@btinternet.

com or call 07789 557768.