A FATHER is making a marathon effort for a charity which helped his family cope after baby Jobe was born without the use of a hand.

Darren Burgess has wanted to run the London Marathon to help Reach since his son was born 19 months ago with an undeveloped right hand.

He said the charity - dedicated to supporting people with limb disabilities - has proved a huge help.

"A few weeks after his birth we were very much on our own but somebody put us in touch with Reach. It did us the world of good.

"It's a big support group that gave us names and contacts of other families in a similar situation. Really at the beginning you just need to speak to people."

He added: "I feel I've got to give something back to the charity."

Jobe now manages "marvellously" and is about to have an operation to give him greater use of his hand.

Mr Burgess, 32, of Belle Orchard, Kidderminster, will run the 26-mile course in April - after more than 15 months' training - with Jobe's godfathers Glenn Beaman and Brian Benton.

He has already raised more than £1,000 in sponsorship from friends, family and colleagues at Hartlebury engineering firm Rowan, and the trio hope to pull in at least £3,000.

Anyone wishing to support Mr Burgess can contact him on 07791 526950.