A Worcestershire PR man is running this year’s Virgin London Marathon to help raise money to fund research into a rare gene disorder. Public relations specialist Stuart Henry from Bewdley is in the final stages of his training for the 26-mile road race in April. Aiming to raise £3,000 for the Reverse Rett charity, he is running the world’s most famous marathon for Scottish toddler Blake McMillan, who is from Mr Henry's native Dundee.

Two year-old Blake was diagnosed with the rare meCP2 duplication syndrome two years ago – a Rett duplication disorder which affects only 100 children across the UK. The condition will mean young Blake, whose parents have so far raised a six-figure sum to help fund his development and wider research, will grow up severely disabled and have learning difficulties.

Mr Henry said: "I am not an experienced long-distance runner but I wanted to do something to help Blake and his family. I went to school in Dundee with Blake’s father Paul and even though I now live hundreds of miles away, I wanted to give their fundraising campaign another boost. Blake’s family are amazing and they have achieved a huge amount in the past few years, both to aid his development but importantly to raise money which will fund research into his condition. The hope is that a cure will be found for Blake and the small number of other children who suffer from meCP2 in the UK."

As part of his fundraising for the marathon, which takes place on Sunday, April 13, Mr Henry, who is 34, has brought on board four Worcestershire businesses as his main sponsors for the marathon – PR agency Henry Pepper PR from Bewdley, regional law firm mfg Solicitors, property management specialists Premier Places of Worcester, and Kidderminster’s Solid Surfacing Company.

He added: “Local people and businesses have been so generous with their donations and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me so far. I won’t be going for any world records on the streets of London. Just to get that medal at the end and raise as much money as possible are the only goals.”

To help with donations Mr Henry has set up a Just Giving page – www.justgiving.com/runningforblake