A RUNNER is making big strides to pay back a charity that helped his family after the death of his son.

Mike Wingfield, of Sutton Veny, is running the London Marathon to raise almost £2,000 for cot death charity Foundation for the Study of Infant Death.

His son, Christopher, died from cot death just 12 weeks after his wife Jacky gave birth in 1984.

Now the 48-year-old is hoping to give something back to the charity which helped him through the death of his son.

Mr Wingfield said: "Christopher would have been 20 this year and it feels like a good time to commemorate him.

"We started to get involved with FSID within a few weeks after Christopher died.

"Back then there wasn't much support for parents and many, including us, didn't have the help that is available now.

"But we came into contact with a telephone helpline where we were put in touch with parents who had also had a child who suffered cot death and it was a tremendous help."

Mike and Jacky have become volunteers on the FSID Bereavement Helpline at weekends manning the telephones.

Money raised in the marathon will go towards the telephone line and cot death services.

Mr Wingfield said: "It's available during office hours seven days a week and manned by parents who have had similar experiences."

Mr Wingfield, a consultant engineer, has lived in Sutton Veny for over 20 years and has two sons, Tom, 21 and Jonathon, 18.

He has been taking parts in marathons and raising money for FSID since 2000.

He said: "The first time I ran was in 2000 with Warminster Running Club and I finished it in three hours and 38 minutes.

"My times have got worse and worse but this year I really want to beat that three-and-a-half hour barrier.

"I will be running with lots of other like-minded people raising money for charity so it will be good fun."

Mr Wingfield has raised almost £1,500 through donations but is aiming to make £2,000 on Sunday.

Donations can be made by contacting Mr Wingfield on (01985) 840013. Parents can find out more about the FSID Bereavement Helpline on 0870 787 0554.

Other runners include Diane Hier, of Upton Scudamore, and Jeremy Frewer, of Plymouth, whose father Ken is vice chairman of Upton Scudamore's community association.

Money raised by the pair will go towards the campaign for a new village hall.