A DROITWICH runner has pledged to use his experience of a serious childhood illness to help a children's charity.

As a baby Paul Little suffered from meningitis, so when he decided to run the London Marathon, he opted to raise funds for WellChild, a charity which supports sick children and their families.

Mr Little, of Vernon Grove, Droitwich said: "I had meningitis as a baby, when I was two or three months old.

"I think it was touch and go at one stage but fortunately I was lucky enough to be here today.

"Having children myself it certainly seemed that when I chose a charity it had to be based around children.

"What pointed me in that direction was the support that WellChild gives to families that have sick children, be it in hospital or at home."

Mr Little said that his children George, eight, and Molly, six, would be cheering him on, but he was not actually expecting them to be too impressed with his performance.

He said: "I ran a 10km race. It was the first race I'd run and Molly was waiting at the end and asked me, Why didn't you win Daddy?' "I hope she understands that I might not win this time."

It is the first time Mr Little, who works in sales, has attempted to run a marathon and he is hoping to cover the 26.2 miles within three and a half hours on Sunday, April 13.

He also wants to raise £1,500 and is halfway to his target thanks to family, friends and colleagues.

Anyone interested in sponsoring him can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/paullittle_marathon_2008.