Ben Wood from Bath is getting ready to take on the London Marathon on 3rd October in memory of his father.

The 41st Virgin Money London Marathon is back with a bang this October, with 100,000 people set to take part across an in-person and a virtual event.

This year’s event is set to make history as the world’s biggest marathon ever.

Ben is powering through his training runs with a smile, and has already raised over £1,000 for The Forever Friends Appeal – the official NHS charity for the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH Bath). Funds will specifically go to the Intensive Care Unit to say thank you for caring for his father, Adrian Wood.

Ben said: “In May 2016, my Dad very sadly passed away at RUH Bath ICU. The staff in the ICU did a fantastic job keeping my family and I informed and reassured during our time there.

“With my Dad’s love of all things sport and helping others, I thought of no better way of honouring his memory than running the London Marathon for RUH Bath ICU who cared for Dad in his last few weeks.”

Ben’s fundraising will help support patients at their most vulnerable. Margerinta Jenkins, Matron of Critical Care and Outreach, said: “Hearing of Ben’s challenge to himself, getting out of his comfort zone to raise money for our unit is incredibly humbling.

“Such actions give us the opportunity to improve our patients and families experience and we as a team cannot thank Ben enough.”