A VETERAN athlete will run the London Marathon to raise funds for a charity set up in memory of a Tenbury man who was killed.

Graham Wood will run the London Marathon on April 21 for a charity set up after the death of 21-year-old Adrian Palmer who had Asperger’s syndrome, a form of autism.

Mr Palmer’s body was discovered in an alleyway in Tenbury in May 2006 after he was strangled by Ben Murphy, who was later sentenced to four years in prison.

The charity, Aid for Asperger’s, was formed in 2010, designed to help people with the same form of autism as Mr Palmer which can make understanding and communication difficult.

Mr Palmer’s grandmother, Margaret Palmer, 65, of Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells, persuaded a keen runner, Graham Wood, aged 55, of Lower Rochford, to run the London Marathon for the charity.

Mrs Palmer said: “It is the first time anyone has run for this charity. “The aim is to support young people who have Asperger’s syndrome, supporting them to find work and improve the condition of their lives.

“We believe if they have a job to focus on perhaps life would be easier for them.

“We’re doing this for him, because of what happened to him – we’re hoping we can stop it happening to other people.

“We thought Adrian was wonderful.

“Considering the things that happened to him, he was always cheerful.

“He did get anxious and upset but he always put on a cheerful face and he loved people. Perhaps they didn’t love him back. “We’re so grateful to Graham for doing this for us.”

Some of the family and charity’s trustees are heading to London via minibus to support Mr Wood, including Mr Palmer’s mother, Jeanette although they will be funded by the family, not from charity funds.

Mr Wood, of Ludlow Runners, who hopes to raise £2,000 for Aid for Asperger,s has run nine marathons across London, New York, Dublin, Hereford and Prague, supporting various good causes and asked readers to give him their support.

He said: “I thought I would do it for Margaret’s charity because it’s helping young people get a start in life. “They need all the help they can get.”

The family can be supported by sending donations to the charity’s address at 27 Bromyard Road, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8DB (registered charity number 1134739) or make a contribution to the account directly.

The account number is 13390068 and the sort code is 30-98-52.