THE boss of a Basingstoke-based accountancy practice is set to run the London Marathon to raise money for disability charity Contact.

Neil Raynsford, chief executive officer of Bunian Place-based Langdowns DFK, and his wife Christina will be running their first ever London Marathon this year to raise funds for Contact, a charity which supports families with children who have disabilities and additional needs.

Together with their friend Jeremy Wright, Christina and Neil aim to raise at least £1,800 each by taking on the event on April 22 to help Contact continue its work providing advice and support to families with disabled children.

Christina said: “Parenting is something that until you have done it, you cannot possibly know how difficult it is.

“All families have to deal with issues and problems on a daily basis and we can only begin to imagine what that must be like with a disabled child.

“It is so important that there is a charity out there like Contact to make families’ lives just a little bit easier.

“The charity gives such amazing support to so many parents who care for a disabled child - and knowing that we’ll be raising vital funds to help Contact continue its work will really help us focus on our first London Marathon.”

Contact says its works to help families with disabled children feel valued, supported, confident and informed through a free helpline, website, parent guides, factsheets and workshops.

The charity also brings families together in local groups and online to support each other by sharing experiences and advice.

Spokesperson from Contact, Kaya Korablina, said: “We know that running 26 miles is a monumental challenge. We’re incredibly proud and humbled by our runners’ dedication, hard work, training and fundraising to support our work. It really does make a difference and helps us to continue to provide vital support to families with disabled children up and down the country.

“That’s why we will be there on the day cheering and congratulating their efforts to help us help more families with disabled children.”

To donate to the trio for their efforts, go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NeilRaynsford1.